SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has opened up about side's tough run of fixtures against the league's 'Big Three' in recent weeks.
An early goal by Evidence Makgopa, within the first two minutes and another goal by Deon Hotto in added time gave United their third loss in five league games.
READ | Makgopa Hotto sends Pirates above Sundowns
"Ja look we gave them a start, fair play to them they got a start. Bad mistake. You don't get a foothold in the game, so a very bad mistake from our part. One straight long ball," Hunt said on SuperSport TV.
"They played a lot of long balls down the middle, we didn't deal with it, so we suffered. Then we were chasing, like we did on Saturday [against Kaizer Chiefs]. We were 2-0 down, we had a chance, it goes to three, it reaches 4-0. We gave everything in the game but obviously we're lacking..
"It's difficult. We played Sundowns away, Chiefs away, Pirates away twice, Cape Town City away. It's difficult when you have a young side, bringing these kids on, 18, 19, you gonna suffer, so ja. Can't fault the effort, they're working and everything. It was a great second-half, we could have got something. Obviously the second goal goes in," Hunt said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach went on and complained about a tough fixture schedule and indicated that he was not happy with the conduct by Riveiro on the bench but he did not want to go into details.
"And I better not say because I'm gonna be hammered every week, congratulations to Orlando Pirates," the veteran mentor said.
"It's amazing, only in this country but they are a good side, they've invested well in their team, they've got so much options, they're a good side and they'll be able to be a force to be reckoned with.
"Nobody has played Chiefs, Pirates, Chiefs in a week [SuperSport face Chiefs again on Saturday], if Chiefs played Pirates they never play Sundowns on Wednesday, so it's crazy. We have a big game on Saturday, we will try to get over this period. I know the players are committed but obviously we're lacking the quality."