City put on a typically brave performance, having to play two thirds of the game with ten men and not conceding after having Fagrie Lakay sent off just after the half-hour mark.
And they could have sent the game in to extra-time had Tashreeq Morris made contact with Abubaker Mobara's superb delivery in to the box in the dying seconds. Nevertheless, the Citizens boss was delighted with the performance.
"It was almost a copy of the game we played in the bubble. I think if you see the game we dominated three quarters of the game. I think we started good. And I think we deserved the last chance, the last goal. That is what you hope for. When you throw everything forward. Unlucky for the guys we didn't score," he told SuperSport TV.
"But I'm very proud the way they presented themselves. They worked hard. We had the opportunity but it didn't go our way.
"Pirates could not find a solution to break us down. I said before the game, this team has such a great unity. They fight for each other. And some games you will win, some you will lose. But I must compliment them for their team spirit.
"The other conclusion is that we lost. We are happy with the unity but we need results. But again it was a great team effort."