Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro praised his players after seeing off SuperSport United 3-1 in their MTN8 quarter-final clash on Saturday.
The Buccaneers are eyeing a third successive top-eight title and broke the deadlock at the Orlando Stadium a minute before half-time through Olisa Ndah.
READ: MTN8: Super Saleng inspires Orlando Pirates in triumph over SuperSport to reach semi-finals
New Matsatsantsa signing from Pirates, Vincent Pule, pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half – and with no further goals, the clash went into extra time.
It didn’t take long for the Bucs to restore their lead after the restart, with Monnapule Saleng on target in the 92nd minute, while Evidence Makgopa made sure of the result with his goal late in the 107th minute.
Reflecting on the tie, a delighted Riveiro explained he enjoyed the battle with Gavin Hunt’s team.
He told SuperSport: “It was a proper football game, it was intense, tough, and amazing to play our first game at home where I think it (the stadium) was almost full.
“I thought we deserved it, it was a good way to start the season. I am very happy with the performance.”
The last time these two sides faced each other, the game ended a goal apiece.
The Bucs boss added: “We shook a bit after it was 1-1, I think we had memories of the last game we played against them here.
“They equalised in the second half (of that match), so it was not a good memory for us. But after five or six minutes (of Saturday’s game) we had a good chance, and that gave us the hype to come back and we had a lot chances.”
☠️ 🤴🏾 Man of the Match | Monnapule Saleng
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 3, 2024
FT | @orlandopirates 3 - 1 @SuperSportFC
🥅 Ndah 44’, Saleng 92’, Makgopa 109’
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday#MTN8#OnceAlways #OrlandoPirates pic.twitter.com/EPZV7gDoBc
