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By Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Football Journalist


Riveiro – Pirates played well against Cape Town City

'We managed to calm down going into half-time. We knew that we were playing well enough and things were going as we planned,' said the Pirates head coach.


Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes his side gave a good performance in their 2-1 victory over Cape Town City, despite having to chase the game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday

The Buccaneers had to fight their way back into the game, after Khanyisa Mayo put City in front with a well-taken strike.

The Buccaneers responded with a Terrence Dzvukamanja header a few minutes later taking the game into the break at 1-1. And they eventually got the winner through Monnapule Saleng late in the second half.

Getting maximum points was vital for the Soweto giants as they climbed up to second place on the DStv Premiership standings with 46 points after 26 games .

Pirates’ win against City was the club’s seventh victory in a row in all competitions.

“It was one of our best performances here in Orlando in the first half playing at home, I think,” said Riveiro.

“It’s football and in a situation where we defended very badly we allowed the opponent to take the lead. But I would say our first half was good and we should have scored twice … we had plenty of entrances in the box.

Keeping calm

“We managed to calm down going into half-time. We knew that we were playing well enough and things were going as we planned.”

The Buccaneers coach also praised his substitutes for the impact they made in the game and says this is something that has been happening in the last few months for the club.

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“It was a fantastic contribution from the players who came from the bench. It’s one of the keys in the last months when we see the results that we are getting. We are not only depending on the players starting, but the whole group,” he added.

Meanwhile, the loss for Cape Town City saw the club register their fourth game without a victory. Eric Tinkler’s men sit in fifth place on the league standings with 35 points after 26 games.

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