Riveiro happy with Pirates victory over Chiefs, rues missed chances

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes his team should have scored more goals in the Soweto derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend.

This comes after the Buccaneers came back from a goal down to beat Amakhosi 2-1 at a packed FNB Stadium on Saturday.

READ MORE: Mofokeng leads Pirates comeback against Chiefs in Soweto derby

Glody Lilepo put Chiefs ahead inside two minutes with a snap shot, but Evidence Makgopa levelled on 24 minutes by placing a close-range shot between the legs of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.

Relebohile Mofokeng then settled the game by slamming a loose ball into the far corner of the net in the 68th minute.

Chiefs were reduced to 10 men in referee’s optional time after Bradley Cross was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

“The result was a little bit short in the end. I think we had opportunities to get more advantage and finalise the game a little bit more. But I think a good football game both sides trying to find a result with good offensive football and a good show I think,” said Riveiro after the game.

Chiefs dominated Pirates in the first half, but after the break, the Buccaneers were the better team. Riveiro  refused to reveal his half-time talk that led to a better performance from his team.

“I can’t tell you because we play in one week again so as you say we try to do our job, we try to adjust things. We try to help the players look better on the field.

“Thank you to the guys, I think the effort they put on the field is second to none one more time this season. All credit to the boys for doing a fantastic job,” said Riveiro.

The Spanish coach was delighted with his team’s overall showing especially in the second half.

“We didn’t have a good beginning of the game, a little bit slow, a couple of mistakes and they got a couple of chances and first one they scored a goal,” Riveiro said.

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“I think little by little we came back getting more and more control and I think the second half was for us from the first minute until the end,” commented Riveiro.

Chiefs and Pirates will meet again in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.