GOOD THINKING Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed his deliberate plan which paid off against Mamelodi Sundowns.Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
They came in like a wrecking ball, as the saying goes, as Orlando Pirates struck a crucial blow in the Betway Premiership title race over the weekend.
Pirates 2-1 win over table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns came courtesy of an explosive start with a brace from rising star Relebohile Mofokeng inside the first five minutes.
After Pirates scored the early goals, Sundowns controlled the rest of proceedings with 17 shots at goal to the nine of the hosts at FNB Stadium.
Sundowns also completely dominated possession with 71% of the ball, but all they had to show in the end was a single goal from Khuliso Mudau just past the hour mark.
Starting the match like a house on fire was a deliberate plan, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro revealed.
“It was a game that we expected and planned for,” Riveiro said.
“We tried to convince ourselves to start the game well, and we did. We tried to minimise their strengths,” Riveiro added, “and in doing so, we maximised our own.”
With the win, Pirates closed the gap on table-topping Sundowns to 15 points. The Buccaneers, though, have four games in hand over Sundowns, who have played 23 matches.
If Pirates were to win all their games in hand, it would leave them within three points of the Brazilians.
The odds, though, are still heavily weighted in favour of Sundowns, who are hunting for their eighth league title in a row.
Pirates, however, will not play again this month as their next clash is a Caf Champions League quarter-final clash against MC Alger on April 1.