Riveiro bemoans ‘same old story’ as Pirates exit Carling Knockout

Jose Riveiro admitted it was Deja Vu as Orlando Pirates failed to take their chances and ended up being dumped out of the Carling Black Label Knockout by Richards Bay on Saturday.

The Buccaneers coach was happy with the way his side had played in their quarterfinal, but as in so many matches this season, they failed to make the most of their opportunities.

Deon Hotto hit the post in the first half, the closest Pirates came to scoring at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. But it was Hotto’s penalty miss that proved crucial in the shoot out, Philasande Manqele diving to his right to make the save from the very first spot kick.

Everyone else scored from the spot, meaning Richards Bay captain Simphiwe Mcineka could fire home the winning penalty and spark wild celebrations among the underdogs.

“It is not easy to explain, for 120 minutes we were on the ball, and trying but not scoring,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the match.

“Going to penalties, today we were not the lucky ones,” added Riveiro, whose side did beat Mamelodi Sundowns on penaltes to win the MTN8 earlier in the season.

“Congratulations to Richards Bay and we will think about the next one as soon as possible.

“There are not many things we can do better, it is about being a bit more confident in the last metres (of the pitch). It is the same old story, I don’t want to repeat myself. As I said a few weeks ago we are doing a lot of things well but so far it is not enough to win games.”

Goal drought

Pirates have scored just five times in their last ten games in all competitions as they have also been knocked out of the Caf Champions League, and seen their DStv Premiership campaign stuck in the mud.

In midweek, heading into this game, Pirates were beaten 2-1 by Cape Town Spurs in the Mother City, Spurs’ first points of the season after eight consecutive defeats. Pirates will now take on Sekhukhune United on Tuesday at Orlando Stadium.