Despite the dramatic trip and the final result in Cape Town against Cape Town City on Wednesday, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Reveiro remains proud of his charges' performance in the league so far this season.
Pirates suffered their second loss in the Betway Premiership this season after being beaten 1-0 by by the Citizens at DHL Stadium on Wednesday evening.
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Forward Darwin Gonzalez scored the decisive goal to hand interim coach Muhsin Ertugral his second win since joining the club in the New Year.
The Buccaneers missed a penalty earlier on when Patrick Maswanganyi hit the post to deny the Soweto giants a crucial lead in the second half.
Due to the result, Pirates missed the chance to secure top spot on the log. However, Riveiro remains confident in his players.
"It was a difficult game, but at the same time, I am extremely proud of these boys. The way they are pushing and playing football, the determination, the way they approach games, it makes me feel (proud). And, of course, I am not happy with the result, but it's a winning performance, but we didn't capitalize (on our chances) and so we move on to the next one," Riveiro told the media in the post-match press conference.
Pirates are now set to switch their focus to their next CAF Champions League assignment, where they play host to CR Belouizdad on Sunday.
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They need to beat the Algerian side to qualify for the quarterfinals of the continental competition.
"We came here to collect the points, I think we created more opportunities than the other team tonight, but its 1-0. this is a scoring game, it's not a possession game or chances game, what matters most is the goals. They scored one and we didn't, three points, we can't get anymore but we can get the next one.
"Now we have to put our minds in the Champions League and prepare (for) our next three points," added the Spaniard.