Jose Riveiro explains Patrick Maswanganyi absence vs Al Ahly

The Buccaneers were held to a goalless draw in their CAF Champions League Group C fixture at Orlando Stadium yesterday, as Maswanganyi was spotted in the stands despite having been part of the match day minus one session on Friday.

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Riveirio simply said the Bafana Bafana attacker was not available for selection.

"Yes, for reasons that I cannot speak about, he was not available for selection – like I said many times, I don't feel I have the right to speak about anybody's health, only maybe about mine," said Riveiro.

"But he was not available for selection in the 20, and I don't think we have any reason to.. I don't know how to say this without giving you a headline... 

"Because I think, after this performance, to be sitting here talking about one player that didn't play is a little bit disappointing for me, to be honest.

"I think we have to talk about the game that [Monnapule] Saleng, Reel [Mofokeng], [Deon] Hotto, and everybody coming from the bench, played because they did a fantastic job, it was an excellent match.

"So speaking about anything else than the ones who were the contagonists today, I think it's not the right moment, but just to answer your question, [Tito] was not available for selection."

Playing in energy-sapping 34-degree heat, Pirates’ young charges gave it all in this game against the record 11-time African champions, and Riveiro believes they showed they can stand up to any opponent in this competition.

"The lessons for us is that, when we play at this level with this level of concentration, ambition, and determination, we can compete with anyone on the day," he added.

"Again, we came here with an inexperienced and young team, playing against an opponent with a lot of experience in these types of games, and with very mature players, and we coped – and in more times and spaces than them we managed to be superior.

"So we should feel stronger after this match, like I said, whatever happens in these games, if we face them with the attitude that we did today, tomorrow we're going to be a better team, and that's the important thing."