Jose Riveiro praised his side’s resilience as they overcame Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Sunday evening.
Relebohile Mofokeng opened the scoring for the Buccaneers after just four minutes before smashing home just a minute later for a shock early lead at the FNB Stadium.
Khuliso Mudau pulled a goal back for the Brazilians, but the home team held on for the win.
The result lifted second-placed Bucs to within 15 points of league leaders Sundowns, with four games in hand.
Reflecting on the result, a delighted Riveiro explained that the win proved his side have the mettle to compete with the best.
He told SuperSport: “We knew the second half would be tough. It demanded exactly what we are, a serious team, a team with the capacity to be resilient, to suffer and to do our job.
“They scored one and there was a bit of uncertainty but this is football. My feeling most of the time in the second half was that I have seen this again and again and it was not so much of a problem to control the game.”
The coach continued: “We tried to convince ourselves to have a strong beginning to the game.
“I am not going to say we planned two goals so early. But we were really accurate in the beginning. If you get a lead early it gives you a good advantage and boosts your confidence.
“So it was a fantastic script for us.”
Pirates next play MC Alger in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League on Tuesday 1 April.