Pirates
caretaker coach Eric Tinkler was very satisfied with the tactical discipline
demonstrated by his boys in the game. He
praised the defence excellent performance and heroic performance by goalkeeper Senzo
Meyiwa which contributed to a second clean sheet in a row.
Tinkler
was happy that the boys defended set pieces well with full concentration
throughout the game. He attributed the victory to the hard work done in the
morning of the game whilst strengthening the defence and rectifying silly
mistakes which contributed in conceding soft goals from set piece against
Thanda Royal Zulu over the weekend.
Tinkler
was thrilled with tactical discipline and commitment demonstrated by the boys
against Sundowns.
“This
victory will lift the morale very high, we always knew we could get the positive
results against them, it was just about turning that corner. We have been
working hard at training. Players played according to the tactical
instructions, there was great tactical discipline from everybody, and the work
rate was phenomenal.”
On
different note from the game, Tinkler said that Pirates has no space for
superstars. Lehlohonolo Majoro has to work hard like any other players to be
considered in the starting eleven.
“Majoro
will be joining us at training as from this Wednesday, but like everybody else
he has to prove himself and work extremely hard to get into the squad. In my
opinion, and I know it is also the club’s opinion, there is no space for
superstars here – everybody must put in the same amount of work, and he needs
to do the same. If he does that he will play … it’s as simple as that.”
On
the other hand, the stressed Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane attributed his
defeat to losing of his key players such as Alje Schut, Khama Billiat, Katlego
Mashego and Cuthbert Malajila.
The
team missed the creative moves of Billiat, the aerial potential Schut during
set piece against a vulnerable Pirates and composure coupled with goalscoring
techniques of Mashego and Malajila.
“It
is a very sad that we didn't have our players. The Khama issue has cost us. We don't have
another Khama, we don't have other players like him. When Mashego plays, when
Schut plays, when Billiat plays we are a different team.”
Mosimane
applauded Rodney Ramagalela for the fighting spirit and never say die attitude
despite playing as alone striker without adequate ball supply and necessary
support. He was happy with the performance of Ramagalela who gave Pirates
defence tough times with his non-stop runs and defence penetration skills.
The
victory against Sundowns moved Pirates to 6th in the Premier Soccer League
(PSL) log with 27 points whilst Sundowns is still at the second spot but
trailing Kaizer Chiefs by 9 points with a game in hand.
