Micho praises battling Pirates

The Bucs mentor, however, was glad his side managed to find their rhythm in the second half following their 0-0 draw at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

The Pretoria team’s front men flooded the Bucs box in the first half but despite numerous chances, while Pirates keeper Jackson Mabokgwane had to be on his toes, making a number of fine stops.

“It was a game of two halves. The opponents surprised, they planned for us and put on the pressure in the first half. We made too many turnovers and struggled against a team that has good competitive mileage from continental competition,” Micho spoke of United’s run in the Caf Confederation Cup where they lost the final 2-1 to TP Mazembe last month.

“In the second half we managed to put our foot on the ball, we played a bit more direct and looked more confident in our approach.”

READ: It’s everyone’s responsibility to core goals – Micho

Coming into this game, Micho adds they needed to prove they are a competitive side this season, especially after Bucs were hammered 6-1 and 4-1 by Matsatsantsa in league and cup games respectively last season.

“We have been motivated to prove we are competitive this year so I commend the players. This game last year we conceded six goals in 45 minutes and 10 goals in two games against them. I want to give credit to the players, they worked really hard.”

The draw was Bucs seventh this season after 13 league matches with 19 points in the bag for the Soweto giants. For SuperSport, meanwhile, the result saw Eric Tinkler’s charges take their points tally to 14 after playing only seven league games, having registered four wins, two draws and one loss in the process.

The Buccaneers and Matsatsantsa will both be in action on Saturday, with Micho’s team hosting promoted side AmaZulu FC, while Tinkler’s men will welcome Cape Town City to the Mbombela Stadium.