Orlando Pirates interim co-coach Fadlu Davids queried his side’s missed chances in Saturday’s 2-0 DStv Premiership loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Peter Shalulile netted a brace while Pirates failed to find the back of the net despite been the side with the biggest goal scoring opportunities.
Davids says that at this topmost level, his side should be doing better in front of goal after seeing a lot of the ball throughout the encounter.
“I think we started very nervy from the kick-off,” the Bucs tactician said after the game.
“Really put us off our organizational structure against the ball, not being able to put pressure on the ball. After those opening 15 minutes, we settled and we were really good. We had the best opportunities to score. The man-of-the-match award really has to go to Denis Onyango and that shows you the big big chances we had today. I think the big big difference today was Sundowns taking their two chances.
“It’s a huge lesson for our players. When you play so well, when you dominate with the ball and without the ball. Especially creating those moments you’ve got to be more clinical. That’s a little bit of the thinking of our players. When it seems like you’re in the ascendancy, one moment, one lapse in concentration and yoú’re 1-0 down.
“Really disappointed for the players. The hard work they put in. In terms of our build-up and how we were able to get in behind their defensive spaces like we wanted to but we have to be more clinical. We have to take the 1 and 2-0 leads and even coming back in the game the chances we got towards the end, you have to take them.
“We have to take the next step in the process. But we have to keep our heads up high. It’s a step forward we took today. We’ve got to take it on the chin. We’ve got to learn from these details that we’ve got to correct and move forward. “It affected us in a way. He’s had a head injury before so it’s not his first. We had to be cautious in terms of concussion. Destabilized us a bit. But ‘Never Die’ [Ntsako Makhubela] came and did well.”