Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari says the win over AmaZulu was important as they continued their push for the final CAF Champions League spot come the end of the season.
After a subdued first half at Orlando Stadium, Gabadinho Mhango produced a moment of magic when his tantalizing free kick handed the Buccaneers all three points with 14 minutes to go.
Motshwari, who was named Man of the Match, says they had to stop Usuthu’s key players like Siyethemba Sithebe from getting the needed space and time on the ball to have any chance of winning the encounter.
“It’s a big one today, we had to dig deep to get the three points. We have not been doing well especially in the league, this one is a major three points for us going into the next one against TS Galaxy,” Motshwari told SuperSport after the game.
“It’s a good confidence booster for the team. For us it was important to break their attacks you know, they are a good side especially when they pass the ball, going through the middle.
“So we had to stop them in the middle of the park for them not to have their key players playing, your Sithebes and we did well today defensively as a team,” he said after the game.
“To show that they are a great side we had to score with a set-piece you know, it shows that it was a difficult match for us today. It shows how three points means for both teams, it was a crucial one for us, I’m happy we got the three points.”
A win over AmaZulu means Pirates still have an outside chance of even finishing in second place, provided that results go their way. However, that would come as a long shot and it would make more sense to look at a third place finish as more realistic.
Only Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu have recorded more wins than Pirates this term and that to an extent shows they have not been all that bad. However, dropped points from winning occasions regularly has been a theme for the Bucs and that should be something they must look to address.