Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes they were the better team over the two legs against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
The Buccaneers held the Algerians to a goalless draw in the second-leg on Wednesday night and advanced to the semi-finals with 1-0 win on aggregate.
READ | Pirates eliminate Algerian giants for semi-final spot
Riveiro felt the Soweto giants were deserved winners in the overall tie and wants the players to take it all in after advancing to the final four.
“Orlando Pirates was the better team during the two games so congratulations to the boys, club and our fans. This is a fantastic moment for all of us and we really have to enjoy the moment and there’s nothing that can change the fact that we’re in the semi-finals,” Riveiro told SABC Sport.
“It’s a difficult team to play against, long balls one after the other. It doesn’t matter, you cannot press them, you cannot have possession in their half after pressing because they will kick the ball as soon as they see a little bit of opposition.
Players like Thalente Mbatha, Makhehlene Makhaula, Relebohile Mofokeng, Deon Hotto and Deano Van Rooyen received a special mention by the Spaniard boss.
Also, playing an attractive brand of football wasn’t the aim for the Buccaneers because the type of opposition and the structure of the game didn’t allow it.
“They are good in the second action; they are strong good side so they have the capacity to at least for two or more times after the long ball.
“But I don’t think we suffered so much in those action. I think the game of our back-five -three was excellent Mbatha, Makhaula, in the second balls Rele,” Riveiro stated.
“The way Deon and Deano helped us to run away with the pressing in the first half. Was excellent. We play with a big heart; we play the way you have to play these types of games.
“It’s not about making the game beautiful; it cannot be. You need two teams to try play good football, if it’s only one it’s not possible.
“So, you know it’s going to be a battle, war and it was like that what we expected, we managed to resist and be resilient to get the result we wanted,” he concluded.
