After a 4-1 dismantling against defending Nedbank Cup champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates Manager Josef Zinnbauer admitted that their opponents on the day were ‘too good’ for his team.
Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane, Lesedi Kapinga and Hlompho Kekana scored for the treble chasing Brazilians while Tshegofatso Mabaso, who scored what was then an equalizer for the Pirates, turned out to be only a consolation as the Buccaneers were outclassed in every way at Loftus Versfeld.”
“Ja, disappointed, it’s clear the result looks not 100 percent the game but it was not enough today you can win this game,” Zinnbauer told SuperSport after the match.
“In the first-half, ten, 20 minutes were completely out of the game, we were not in, then we get the goal, then maybe it was a wake up call, we came closer to our goals, then we scored.
“Then we had two chances to score [but] we had unluck, second-half the same, we come out, we were not in [the game], then we concede and then you play all or nothing.
“You have to manage the game more in offense and you step out of the defence line and you have to try to score, we did but we did not the 100 percent responsibility that we can score,” he said.
“We had a little bit of unluck, but then you get the counter-attack, Sundowns too good, honestly they have top players on the field, they play very well in the [CAF] Champions League, they play very well in the league.
“So finally, you play for all or nothing and then in the last ten minutes we make more forward and then you get the goals, it’s a problem. But I say again, the performance was not enough, Sundowns were better but the result looks a little bit too high or we have more goals on our side.
“It’s not the team alone from us, it was Sundowns, they make this very good they come with high pressure and we find not the solution, we were too long on the ball, we don’t play quick enough to get the solution.
Pirates would be aiming to put that disappointing defeat behind them and return to winning ways against Maritzburg United on Sunday. Depending on other results, a win could potentially see them move up to third place on the standings.