Micho: Usuthu fought hard

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic gave credit to AmaZulu for their fighting spirit after their entertaining encounter finished in a 1-1 draw at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Bucs looked deadly on attack, but were once again let down by poor finishing, having taken the lead as early as the 14th minute through Augustine Mulenga before Usuthu’s Emiliano Tade levelled matters in the 49th minute.

“We played against an AmaZulu team that represents an approach of never-say-die, nevergive-up attitude thanks to coach Cavin Johnson and his wonderful individuals who play as a team. We prepared very well and represented our model of football in the best possible way in the first half,” said the Bucs mentor.

“It was a good game of football and a good advertisement for the sport and for the people who watched it because it was entertaining and thrilling.”

The Bucs boss regretted the missed chances, with striker Justin Shonga (above) being the main culprit. However, Sredojevic was quick to defend the Zambian.

“We regret that all the good work we did in building up to the last third did not pay off. We converted only one chance yet we had others that could have changed everything,” he added.

“He did very well. He achieved three things we asked of him as a striker: to be the first line of defence; to try and intercept the balls and to help us when we went on the attack and to assist or convert the chances.”

The Buccaneers go into the international break on 16 points after 10 games, while AmaZulu are struggling on three points after eight games.