Milutin Sredojevic, head coach of Orlando Pirates (Frikke Kapp/BackpagePix)
A disappointing start in the Caf Champions League preliminary round for Orlando Pirates has left head coach Micho Sredojevic ruing his charges’ failure to take their chances after losing 1-0 to Green Eagles at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia last weekend.
The Bucs coach reckons his team had everything going for them in the game. However, not making the most of their opportunities and said a lapse in concentration which led to Eagles’ goal cost them the game.
“We believe we dominated in all aspects of the game except in one crucial aspect – which is scoring goals,” the Bucs coach told the club’s media.
“In that regard, I will say we applied ourselves very well, unfortunately there was a lapse in concentration at the start of the second half. We had a clear situation on one side and we lost the ball in the most important area which led to a deflection of the shot and put the opposing player in a position to send the ball into the back of the net.”
READ: Micho bemoans lack of concentration after shock Pirates defeat
Despite the loss, Sredojevic has remained optimistic about Pirates’ chances of going into the next round of the competition.
Sredojevic has vowed to prepare his side thoroughly for the return leg on August 23 at the Orlando Stadium.
“We need to prepare ourselves, our chances are absolutely realistic and we shall do everything possible with our performance without talking too much, but with the performance on the field of play.
“We believe we have what it takes to get the result that will see us go to the next round.”
Pirates had opened their Absa Premiership campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic. And now that things haven’t gone too well in the continental competition, the Soweto side will shift their focus back into the domestic league with a meeting against Kaitano Tembo’s SuperSport United away on Wednesday.
While Pirates began their Absa Premiership campaign with a win, Matsatsantsa come into this game having suffered a 2-0 defeat against their city neighbours Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening game of the season.
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