Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has slammed his players’ attitude following their 2-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United.
Following the defeat, the Buccaneers dropped to fourth in the DStv Premiership.
Goals by Vusumzi Mncube and Linda Mntambo gave Babina Noko a 2-1 win over Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
After the match, Jose Riveiro questioned his players’ attitude, saying his team played well after Sekhukhune scored.
“We played well after the goal, we played very shy before the goal, I think that’s the summary of the game,” said Riveiro as per Soccer Laduma.
“Lots of doubt in the build-up, in the first 30 minutes. Even though there were a hell of spaces and opportunities for us, we couldn’t, we were not in the right space to do it.
Riveiro says Pirates only started playing after Sekhukhune goal
“We conceded one goal and then the game became different after that, we were not shy anymore and I think we generated a lot of football today to get a reward but it was impossible,” he said.
“We did a lot of touches in the last 30 minutes of the match and we’re going [home] with zero [points].”
“It’s not because of the names on the field, it’s because of the attitude,” said Riveiro.
“And today we just gave too much to Sekhukhune in the beginning to feel comfortable with their game plan and that’s why we’re going out of this game with zero points,” the Pirates coach concluded.
The defeat to Sekhukhune is Pirates sixth of the season and Riveiro knows he can’t afford more defeats. The Buccaneers are aiming to finish second behind DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who look set to retain their title.
Pirates now have three days to prepare for their Soweto derby clash against Moroka Swallows.
The Dube Birds picked up a rare win over Cape Town Spurs on Sunday afternoon ending their 13-match winless run.
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