Oswin Appollis says Orlando Pirates must “bounce back” after their stunning penalty shootout defeat to Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars, which abruptly ended their Nedbank Cup campaign.
The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes and were forced into the lottery of penalties.
Read: Casric Stars coach Bucs Mthombeni lifts the lid on Orlando Pirates after statement win
The National First Division side held their nerve – as Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mpho Chabatsane and Nkosikhona Ndaba all missed for Bucs – to emerge victorious with a 5-4 win and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the lucrative competition.
The result saw the Buccaneers’ quadruple hopes come to an end, as they are still in contention for the Betway Premiership, having already won both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup.
It was also a second successive defeat after their 2-1 league reverse to title-chasers Mamelodi Sundowns last week.
Speaking after the game, Apollis said on iDiski Times: “It’s a difficult one to swallow but I think the boys fought today, we create so many chances and we couldn’t score today.
“We will definitely bounce back. We have a whole week to prepare for our next game, so we’ll definitely putting in the next work to focus on our next game.”
Pirates are next in action against fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 28 February.