Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro hailed his team as they progressed to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals with a 4-2 victory over AmaZulu on Saturday.
The cup holders secured their passage with goals from Man of the Match Patrick Maswanganyi (45′ P, 90+3′), Kabelo Dlamini (58′) and Makhehlene Makhaula (82′).
Ususthu had opened the scoring through Hendrick Ekstein (30′) and levelled with a Taariq Fieles (63′) effort but were ultimtaly undone by two late goals.
Riveiro enjoyed the encounter and felt the result was a fair outcome for his side.
Speaking after the game, the head coach said on SuperSport: “Proper football game, no? I think it was a good show from the beginning. We started the game very well, with a number of chances to get a comfortable advantage, we couldn’t [score the goals]. They capitalised on one mistake in our organisation, in a lateral cross.
“We came back just before half-time with a 1-1 and I think was not maybe at the level of the first half from our side, but we still dominated and created chances. I’m happy for the boys, they fought a lot.”
Riveiro further explained: “We played football when it was time to play football, we fought when it was time to fight. The cup games are like this, you have to play three, four different games inside 90 minutes and I think we were better in all of them.
“Today I’m not surprised but impressed with the way the team competed. We played good football but we also played with the heart. They played for the fans and the atmosphere today was incredible.”