A disappointed Jose Riveiro insisted that Orlando Pirates "absolutely dominated" opponents Mamelodi Sundowns in a tense DStv Premiership clash despite a narrow 1-0 defeat at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Sundowns pounced on an early Pirates mistake as Cassius Mailula scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute to hand the Brazilians a record 15th consecutive win.
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Despite the narrow defeat, Riveiro insisted that his side dominated their opponents with the Buccaneers coming close on several occasions to find an equaliser.
"They really punished us in the first mistake," a downbeat Riveiro said post-match.
"But I think after that the game was absolutely dominated by Orlando Pirates in every scenario.
"I think even in the first half we were dominating the game quite well and created a number of chances. Even in the first half with a number of set-pieces we came quite close.
"In the second half I think Sundowns started very well in the first five minutes, but then I think after that I think the game was totally for us.
"We couldn't capitalise on the things we created. I would say from the 55th minute to the 75th minute in the second half we dominated.
"I'm not so happy with the end of the game as we should still be organised in the last part of the match.