We were shy on the ball - Jose Riveiro's response to first loss in 2024

Pirates who are trying hard to secure the CAF Champions League spot, came off second best to their direct competitor, who were tactically superior to them on the night. Riveiro says a slow start to the game affected their rhythm.

"Shy beginning of the game, even though we had all the time and space to progress through the central corridor we were very shy on the ball. It was going to the side and the sides were for Sekhukhune to stop us. So, we were not playing at the rhythm we were expecting to play in the beginning," Riveiro said.

As the hosts kept their composure in the defensive line, before and after taking the lead, there were signs of frustration in the Pirates camp.

Riveiro says a combination of Sekhukhune wasting time and them not taking their chances contributed to this loss.

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"After we conceded the goal, there was a reaction in the team but we were already 1-0 down. I think from the moment that we conceded the goal we were very superior to our opponent until the end,” the coach added.

“Second half, same story but again we passed to the central corridor to Mabasa then I don't know what happened there, probably you do, we concede the second goal in one transition and from there it was the same story of the game, Pirates attacking, Sekhukhune kicking the ball away and wasting time. We tried our best, we had chances, we couldn't put the ball in the net. They started scoring goals 2-1, zero points for Pirates."

This was Pirates’ first loss this year in seven matches in all competitions and Riveiro appeared annoyed when he was asked about inconsistency after having collected 11 points from a possible 15.