Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained why he made a substitute against Cape Town City which led to fans booing him.
The Bucs faithful were dissatisfied when Makhehlene Makhaula was subbed off in the second half for Goodman Mosele. The sub proved to be a good decision as the Buccaneers won 2-1 after Mosele scored the winner late in the match.
Haashim Domingo had put City ahead at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday before Tshegofatso Mabasa and Mosele responded in the second half.
After the match, Jose Riveiro admitted that teams always gave it their all against Pirates at Orlando.
“Well, teams compete in a special way when they are coming here,” he said.
“They are in front of big crowds and in front of Orlando Pirates. We knew that Cape Town was one of those teams that use to run the extra mile when they played against us. It’s fine, three points, so happy.
“In these types of games you feel you are in possession, in control, but you’re not because the opponent has 60 metres to run behind you by the time you recover the ball. It’s impossible with precise in this field,” Riveiro added as per GOAL.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro happy with three points
The Bucs coach said it was a difficult match to play given the state of the pitch.
“I know people will think I’m crazy because it’s looking nice in camera, but it’s so difficult to be precise when the pitch is dry,” Riveiro added.
“It didn’t rain today and it was difficult to play with the speed in the last minutes.
“A lot of indecisions and mistakes and those mistakes develop in a transition for them. Again, we managed to double up the lead, double up the advantage and three points for us.”
Jose Riveiro explained why he had to sub off Makhaula, who has become a Pirates fan favourite especially this season.
“The majority of the fans at Orlando Stadium were not happy when Makhehleni Makhaula was subbed for Goodman Mosele. They felt it was not a good move especially since the team was trailing and they reacted by filling the venue with boos.
“We needed a different type of midfielder at that moment of the game,” Riveiro clarified.
“There was a situation where we tried to get benefits with our midfielders because of the way they were defending in one of the sides.
“That’s why he came in – Mosele because he is a different profile than Cass at that moment I think. Good job from Makhaula I think in the first 45 – 60 minutes and then Mosele completes the job.”
Jose Riveiro and his men turn their attention to Marumo Gallants midweek as Pirates look to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
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