Jose Riveiro heaped praise on Makhehlene Makhaula following Orlando Pirates’ 2-0 win over TS Galaxy.
Goals from Thalente Mbatha (16′), Relebohile Mofokeng (72′) secured the result for Pirates, and maintain their perfect start to the Betway Premiership season.
Makhaula picked up the Man of the Match award for his efforts, but it wasn’t all good news for Pirates as Thabiso Monyane had to be substituted after an hour with an injury.
Riveiro told SuperSport after the match: “It means a lot because we’re used to giving individual awards to players that shine in the last metres of the game and not the ones that are shining in the first metres of the game and he’s one example in any possible means as a professional.
“Makhaula’s reward also belongs to those who are working to keep a clean sheet.
“Usually they don’t get recognition they deserve so happy for him because he’s a very important player for us.”
Pirates replacement right-back Monyane had come in for the injured Deano van Rooyen, but had to be replaced by Paseka Mako on the hour mark following a knock.
Riveiro added: “With this marathon we have to be ready for every kind of inconvenience because there’s a lot of challenges in the game.
“Today was a game that was played in a really high tempo from the first minute with a lot of duels contact and it’s normal to suffer these type of knocks when you try to be first and hopefully it’s not going to be something serious.”