Davids praises fast start after Pirates pounce on Galaxy

Orlando Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids says what separated them from TS Galaxy in their DStv Premiership encounter on Saturday was that they utilised their goal-scoring opportunities.

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The Buccaneers registered a 2-0 victory over the side from Mpumalanga, with Bandile Shandu and Collins Makgaka scoring for the Soweto giants after they both benefitted from Deon Hotto assists.

“It was a good start, in relation to both teams, the difference was we could score, get that early goal. They are a team that is very direct, one of the few teams playing with two strikers,” said Davids after the match.

“Balls coming in on the sides, the second balls we had to manage. But we couldn’t get sucked into playing their style, we had to slow down the game. I think we did that well in the first-half. It was very important that we score the second goal, very important that we didnt get sucked into their style of play, of transition, transition.

“The second-half was about slowing the game down, putting the foot on the ball, dominating possession and the second goal came.”

The Buccaneers keep their third clean sheet in four games, thanks to a good defensive work, especially the new center-back partnership of Olisa Ndah and Ntsikelelo Nyauza, but, Davids says it’s about team work, not just the two players.

“It’s really the team’s structure in terms of the high press, in terms of how we put pressure high on the pitch, we’re getting so many turnovers in those positions, not really capitalising on it enough but it’s a work in progress, I’m really pleased with the three points,”

With the result, Pirates jumped to second place (Sunday‘s results may have changed Bucs’ standing) on the log with 23 points after 15 games, but they are 14 points behind top of the table side Mamelodi Sundowns, who are on 37 points from the same number of games.

The Soweto giants will have another opportunity to add to their points tally when they visit their neighbours Swallows FC in a Soweto derby at Dobsonville Stadium tomorrow.