DStv Premiership: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro calls out unacceptable performance from his side

The fifth-placed Pirates dropped points and missed the chance to climb to the second spot in the DStv Premiership log table.

The Spanish-born coach demands massive improvements before the Soweto derby where the Buccaneers will host bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The match will kick off at 3.30 pm.

Riveiro would have wanted his side to head to the spectacle high in spirit, occupying the second spot in the league.

But the Sea Robbers’ lackadaisical performance, especially in the final stanza, allowed the bottom-of-the-log-table Spurs to walk away from Orlando Stadium with a vital point.

Riveiro’s men opened the scoring through teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng after 12 minutes into the clash.

The hosts dropped the ball in the second half, giving Gadiel Kamagi to find the equaliser with 14 minutes left to play.

“I think we should have used the momentum after we scored the goal in the first half to put more pressure on the opponent, but we allowed them to be alive and to go to the half-time break feeling that anything is still possible,” Riveiro told media after the game.

“And in the second half, there was a moment when I felt they had control of the game.

“We were not at our best today (Wednesday).”

Riveiro felt it was not just their attack that didn’t function as well as it should have, but they failed to apply themselves correctly in a few other areas of the game.

“It’s not only about what we do in our attacks, I think today we were not competitive enough in the defensive phase, in the duels and the second actions,” Riveiro said.

“If you think about the times we ran at a disadvantage with our centre-backs on the edge of the box, collecting one yellow card (for Nkosinathi Sibisi) in the first half it’s not by chance.

“So, it’s not only what we do when we attack, but also about what we do when we are not on the ball and today, we were not at the level that we are demanding and required.

“We have to be critical of ourselves and understand that today we didn’t compete in a way that this team must compete in every game. It’s so simple.”