Riveiro hails Pirates duo after Soweto derby win over Chiefs

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has hailed early substitutes Bandile Shandu and Relebohile Mofokeng’s impact during the Soweto derby win over Kaizer Chiefs.

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Shandu and Mofokeng were introduced as substitutes early in the game due to forced injuries and they managed to help the side claim a 1-0 DStv Premiership win over Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Riveiro had to make changes to his line-up following injuries to Thabiso Monyane and Kermit Erasmus.

Shandu had a hand Evidence Makgopa’s only goal of the match which gave Bucs the 1-0 victory.

“It was a proper derby, a couple of accidents in the game. We had to do two substitutions in about 15 minutes if I’m not mistaken, unfortunately. I have to highlight the way Shandu and Rele came into the field, straight from the bench almost without time to prepare themselves for a game like this, they showed something very special. I think in the first half we were better than Chiefs. It is difficult to be consistently dominating this type of game,” said Riveiro after the match.“

“The opponent is a good opponent and highly motivated. We had good moments of football in the first half. We got the lead and I remember at least one situation where we could have doubled the lead when Chiefs was probably…I don’t want to say lost, but had difficulties stopping us in our rotations. We managed to create clear situations against their full-backs, especially Edmilson Dove on the left side.”

The Pirates coach added his charges started to be tired in the second period, but praised them for holding on to the win.

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“The second half was a bit ugly in terms of football. There was a lot of passion and duels. We were a bit consecutive in the end, but we were a bit tired. It’s our seventh game in 22 days, credit to the guys (for fighting all the way to the end).”