Pirates laud AmaZulu’s contribution to match
• Kaizer Chiefs coach refuses to blame the absence of spectators for defeat to Polokwane City
Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic praised the attacking approach of Cavin Johnson of AmaZulu after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.
Augustine Mulenga put Bucs ahead in the 14th minute. AmaZulu’s Argentine striker Emiliano Tade equalised in the 49th minute.
Pirates dominated the first half‚ but the second was a toeto-toe slugfest of opportunities at both ends.
Sredojevic’s only complaint was that his strikers had not taken chances. Justin Shonga‚ especially‚ could have had a secondhalf hat-trick.
“First of all‚ for a good match you need to have two good opponents who come with an intention to play football‚” Sredojevic said. “Credit to coach Cavin Johnson and his team and to this wonderful atmosphere of the people who came here.
“My team had a very good first half where we did everything that we agreed on. And when you look at the difference between the first and second half‚ we absolutely controlled the game [in the first]‚ not allowing the opponent the ball.
“We didn’t give away turnovers and allow them to outnumber us when we lost the ball. In the second half it was like two boxers dropping their guard and punching each other‚ chance for them‚ chance for us.
“This was a very good advertisement for the game. I think football of this kind invites people to come to the stadiums.
“Good to watch‚ but for us as the coaches a lot more effectiveness in front of goal could put sugar into the tea‚ and help us to win the game.
“So we wanted more. In the end I believe that even a draw we will accept and look forward to‚ during this break to prepare ourselves for the big derby.”
Pirates return from the coming Fifa international date with the Soweto derby‚ hosting Kaizer Chiefs in a Bucs home game at FNB Stadium on October 27.
● Giovanni Solinas refused to use the absence of a crowd as an excuse for Kaizer Chiefs’ loss to Polokwane City in Durban though their flat attack could have done with a lift.
Chiefs were beaten 1-0 behind closed doors as they began the first of a two-match suspension at the Moses Mabhida Stadium following the crowd trouble in April when Free State Stars beat them in the Nedbank Cup semifinal.
Saturday’s performance would have been as frustrating for the fans had the spectators been on hand‚ but there is also the chance they might have lifted Chiefs up the required notch or two.
“Excuse me‚ but I don’t want to speak about the [lack of] support,” Solinas said.
“We didn’t lose the game because there weren’t any supporters. I don’t want that to be the excuse‚” was Solinas’s immediate response.
“It wasn’t an easy game. In the second half the guys were very positive‚ in the first half no.
“The manner of our attack didn’t work because they gave us space behind their defence but we didn’t exploit this space. We didn’t lose our markers and we were much too static in the first half.
“But in the second half the guys performed well but sometimes this happens in football that they create one chance and win the game. Congratulations to Polokwane for their victory.”