Palacios delighted with Pirates’ spirit

Orlando Pirates are expected to name a new coach today, with whoever comes in facing a mountainous task to revive a struggling side.

The Buccaneers did at least show spirit in their 2-2 draw at Cape Town City on Saturday night, Riyaad Norodien’s stoppagetime goal preventing the home side from moving to the top of the Absa Premiership.

Caretaker coach Augusto Palacios grabbed his heart just after Norodien scored, embracing assistant coach Bradley Carnell. It has been a far from easy time for Palacios, as Pirates have gone nine league and cup matches without a win, dating back to a November 22 victory at Chippa United. The Soweto giants are currently a lowly 10th in the league table.

Palacios may well need to step down simply for his own well-being – he had to receive treatment after the crowd trouble that interrupted Pirates’ 6-0 thrashing by Mamelodi Sundowns on February 11.

“It is my blood pressure, coming from the stress I had after the game against Sundowns,” Palacios said on Saturday.

“I don’t know anything (about who the new coach is). The chairman called to wish us the best before the match, he was confident the reaction of the players would be the best and I was happy with the reaction.

“I don’t know who the new coach is, I can only say I will die for this club no matter which position I am in and who is coming in.”

Pirates had taken the lead at Cape Town Stadium, with Dove Wome scoring his first goal for the club, but City were excellent in the second half, and looked to have won it as Roland Putsche’s fine volley levelled matters, before Lebogang Manyama netted his 10th league goal of the season with a brilliant finish.

But Norodien’s first goal for Pirates in his home town earned the Buccaneers a point, sealed with a kiss with his girlfriend in the crowd after the match.

“We changed the game, made it 2-1 and at the end we made another mistake and it feels like we lost the game today,” an honest Putsche told SuperSport after the match.