HAPPY COACH FILE. Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro praised his troops after they bagged a last-ditch Soweto Derby win over Kaizer Chiefs in their Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Though they were only able to grab the winner with the last kick of the game, coach Jose Riveiro felt his Orlando Pirates charges more than merited the victory in their 1-0 Betway Premiership win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates were awarded a controversial penalty deep in second half injury time, and Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to cheekily chip the ball into the back of the net after Chiefs keeper Bryce Bvuma dived to his left.
It meant Pirates bagged a full haul of points in a tight derby clash which seemed destined to end goalless.
Riveiro heaped praise on his troops after the match.
“I think it’s three points well deserved,” said Riveiro.
“I think we had clear chances, especially in the second half. These games used to be tight, not really beautiful football, not usually many chances.
“We had a beautiful derby a few months ago in the last season, but it's not usual to see these kind of games. Today was more tight, sorry but I think that I'm fair if I say that my team today deserves the three points.”
It was a tight affair indeed with Pirates just shading the possession stats with 52% of the ball and reeling off 12 shots at goal to the eight of Chiefs.
Though Pirates were heavy favourites, Riveiro gave credit to Chiefs for their part in the titanic clash.
“Chiefs is a good team. No matter what the people say about these guys in yellow it's a good team.
“It's difficult to play against them and I think the second half it had a slow beginning again, but I feel little by little we managed the interruptions, the shifts in play and all the things that usually happen.
“I think we managed to be the most dangerous team, to create the most clear chances to put the goalkeeper in trouble.”