Davids hails players despite loss to Pirates
Set pieces floor upbeat Maritzburg
It’s not often you hear a coach says he’s happy after losing a match, but Maritzburg United’s Fadlu Davids was delighted despite their 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium in Soweto at Saturday night.
The Team of Choice scored through defender Siyanda Xulu with a header, but had already conceded a free kick by Thabiso Kutumela and Happy Jele.
For Davids, though, he was encouraged by the way his players put the home side on the backfoot.
“My players passed the test. It’s not about the result; it’s about the performance and the process.
“You know what we are trying to build here,” Davids reflected.
“Disappointing, yes, that we conceded from two set pieces, but unbelievable performance to come here.
“The respect they gave us to put six defenders in the starting line-up and in the [second half] bring more defenders to really try and stop us.
“It has never happened before that Maritzburg United come to Orlando and play the way we did.
“I’m extremely proud of the players,” he said.
Davids would like to see his team improve; to be calm when they concede or score.
“Credit to [Pirates]. They got the two set pieces and got the goals, but we’ve got to get better in terms of controlling our thinking,