Mokwena happy Pirates seem hungrier
Orlando Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena insists he didn't see the dubious penalty given to his side during their 3-2 win over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rulani Mokwena (BackpagePix)
The Buccaneers came back from 1-0 down, just before referee Mxolisi Bambiso pointed to the spot for hand ball inside the box, whereas the replay shows the ball hit the hip of the Rise and Shine player. Pirates levelled matters, before sealing the tie.
READ: Mokwena defends under-fire Lorch
However, one thing he was certain about was the red card of winger Thembinkosi Lorch, who was sent off along with Polokwane’s Puleng Tlolane.
Said the Bucs mentor: “I am not sure, I haven’t seen [the replay] of the penalty.
“From where I was sitting I don’t know, but there was one just before that one – it hit the hand, to be honest. But I am not sure about the penalty.
“Okay, we equalised with the penalty and then we got the red card, deservedly so. Nyoso [Lorch] shouldn’t retaliate, but we spoke to him about it.”
Mokwena believes Pirates made things tough for themselves again.
However, he is content with the way his charges carried themselves, especially after going 1-0 down in the early stages.
“A difficult match made more difficult by ourselves. We look like we are in a season where we like to make things very difficult.
“To concede first from absolutely nothing – a standard situation we prepared for … but then we didn’t take responsibility with our roles inside the box to deal with it and we go 1-0 down.
“But then we showed a bit of the same sort of mentality we have shown in the last couple of games this season – the spirit, the hunger, the Pirates that we want to see, even when the score is 0-0 or 1-1.”
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