Orlando Pirates attacker Fortune Makaringe has come to the defence of highly-criticised goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane following a Soweto derby defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers suffered their first defeat in four matches when they fell 1-0 to rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium.
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The goal that decided the tie was struck from behind the halfway by Chiefs midfielder Yusuf Maart. Although sections of supporters have criticised Mpontshane for being off his line, Fortune Makaringe has come in defence of the shot-stopper.
"I didn't see anyone's mistake, It was our mistake as a team to lose the game against Kaizer Chiefs," Makaringe said.
"So, I didn't see anyone [at fault] and I'm not pointing at anyone because I understand we work for one another.
"I feel like we need to grow as a nation to get to a point when we can credit someone without judging anyone else. That boy [Maart] scored a very beautiful goal and it says a lot about the atmosphere that was there. It needed a beautiful goal for that occasion.
"Someone who is a good analyst in football would actually see that the team was playing high up, we lost the ball and they took a shot and it was a goal, because of the way we play. But it's not for everyone to say or for everyone to understand."
Pirates will go into Saturday's fixture looking to shed off their 'bridesmaids' tag. No PSL side has reached more cup finals and failed to clinch the trophy than the Buccaneers.
At the opposite corner, AmaZulu go into the clash beaming with confidence their first game under new coach Romain Folz. Usuthu beat Stellenbosch to climb back into the top eight of the DStv Premiership.
The Durban outfit will also be desperate to lift their first trophy in 30 years, having last won silverware in 1992.
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