Pirates coach says 3-0 not a true reflection

UNDER-FIRE coach Josef Zinnbauer has defended Orlando Pirates’ performance despite going down 3-0 to Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Pirates’ loss, the third at the hands of Sundowns this season, drew a sharp rebuke from Bucs fans who vented their anger on social media and demanded that Zinnbauer be shown the exit door.

Zinnbauer said the 3-0 scoreline did not accurately reflect the game.

The momentum swung dramatically Downs’ way when they were awarded a fortunate penalty around the hour mark. Prior to this, Zinnbauer said his team had looked the likelier to score. Up to that stage, the best scoring chances fell to the Pirates striker Deon Hotto.

“We had a lot of possibilities in the first half,” Zinnbauer said.

“I think from the outside it was clear my team was leading the game (before the penalty). We were closer to a goal than Sundowns and then they got the penalty. There was nothing before (from them) in the second half. Yes, the first 10-15 minutes we needed to find our structure.”

More bad news for Pirates’ next game tomorrow against Black Leopards is that Fortune Makaringe and Ntsikelelo Nyauza are suspended after picking up their fourth bookings of the season on Sunday.