Jonevret happy to share points in Tembisa

Jonty Mark

Kjell Jonevret admitted that a goalless draw was a fair result after Orlando Pirates were held by Highlands Park in Tembisa on Saturday night.

The Buccaneers were unable to build on their 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United last week, which was their first league win of 2017, though they did manage a second successive clean sheet.

Pirates’ leaky defence has been a problem all season – this was also only their second clean sheet of 2017 and the first time since November that the side have managed successive shut-outs.

“I’m a little disappointed with not scoring but the other team also played well so I think a goalless draw is a good measure of the game,” Jonevret told reporters after the match.

“A great positive for us is that we kept it clean and we didn’t concede, so I’m happy about that.”

Jonevret also praised Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who has started their last two league games.

“The defence is working hard and that benefits the whole team, but Mpontshane has also been doing well,” added the Pirates coach.

Pirates’ next game is on Saturday when they host Bloemfontein Celtic in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal at Orlando Stadium.

The Nedbank Cup is Pirates’ only hope of silverware this season after a disappointing league campaign that sees them currently sitting in ninth place, some 18 points behind leaders Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs.

“We have a week till our next home game at Orlando this Saturday. We have to improve from tonight and score,” said Jonevret.