Pirates need to pull the trigger
The story continues to be the same for Orlando Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena, who believes his players are always trying their utmost to get positive results, but things aren't just working out for them.
Rhulani Mokwena, head coach of Orlando Pirates (Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix)
Pirates registered their fourth draw in the Absa Premiership when they were held to a goalless draw by Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday in a match which saw plenty of chances go to waste from both sides, while Mokwena believes they could have won it.
READ: Mokwena happy with Pirates’ home record
“A draw at home in a game where we should have won, a game where the players did everything they could to get the result,” said the Bucs mentor.
“Again, the same picture emerged where we created a lot of chances and we had most of the possession.”
“We defended very well on transition, which was possibly one of the reasons we got the second yellow with Happy Jele, but sometimes that’s the price you pay when you play a bit adventurous.”
“From a performance perspective though, I think we can be satisfied, although we know that we can do better especially after a very good start in the first half.
“We had a good opportunity to make it 1-0 with Kabelo Dlamini and when you play at home and you get a chance like that you have to make sure that you put it in the back of the net.”
With the result, Pirates have now only managed to collect 13 points in 10 league games and despite dropping two more points Mokwena felt in most of the games they have played they should not have drawn.
“So, it is what it is and we will keep on going and try to turn the level of the performance into the desired results, because obviously coaches are judged on results, not performances.”
Mokwena and his troops have another daunting clash next against Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday, just a week after Amakhosi knocked them out of the Telkom Knockout by winning 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
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