Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro remained unhappy with the team’s performance in the league clash against Chippa United but admits claiming the three points was the important objective.
Tshegofatso Maba netted a brace to seal a 2-0 league win over the Chilli Boys at the Orlando Stadium.
This was Pirates’ second straight victory over Chippa following the 3-1 triumph in the Nedbank Cup semifinal over the weekend.
“I think today it took time to find the rhythm in the first half. We’ve been unusually slow in the last few games, but we found space on our right-hand side, with many penetrations from Thabiso (Monyane).
“The goal could have come a bit earlier but in the end, we managed to open the scoring, which is important to not go into halftime locked at 0-0,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV.
The result was the Buccaneers’ seventh in a row in all competitions. Riveiro maintains the performance lacked a sense of urgency.
“I think it [the goal] was a key moment in the game; otherwise, maybe it would have taken a bit longer [to score the opening goal]. It was not our best performance but it was good enough to collect the three points to make sure that we continue with the possibility of achieving the objective that we’re looking to achieve right now. I’m so happy with the boys, excellent numbers and results, so we move,” Riveiro added.
The Spaniard was not pleased with the team’s inability to build attacks on the left-hand side occupied by the skillful Relebohile Mofokeng.
Mofokeng had a quiet game until he was replaced by Katlego Otladisa in the 89th minute.
“It’s good that we also responded well on our right-hand side. We didn’t really use Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] more in the first half and in the second one. Anyway, the team was balanced and under control.
“We didn’t suffer in transitions, which is important. We did a fantastic job in set pieces, especially in defense against a team that uses long throw-ins. Overall, a professional performance. We got the three points and we move to the next (match),” Riveiro concluded.
Pirates will face Richards Bay at home in their next DSTV Premiership fixture on Saturday.
