Jose Riveiro's Orlando Pirates struggle in title race after frustrating draw in Athlone

In what was a largely scrappy affair and playing against 10 men for the majority of the game, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was left a frustrated man after his side drew 0-0 with Stellenbosch FC in their Betway Premiership match at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

Stellies were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute as Brian Mandela received his marching orders for bringing down a Pirates player just outside the box. Mandela was adjudged to have been the last man in his challenge, and therefore received a straight red.

The resultant free kick thundered into the crossbar, and that was the epitome of Pirates’ fortunes on the night.

Though Pirates had 10 shots at goal, only three of them were on target. They also dominated possession with 72% of the ball.

‘We were better against 11’

“I think we were better against 11,” Riveiro told SuperSport after the game.

“Both teams [were] trying to win the match. The moment the opponent is playing with 10, there is [no] intention to win any more so there are fewer spaces to play.”

In what was incredibly Pirates’ first draw of the season 18 games in, they now find themselves lagging as many points behind table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We tried, but I'm not sure we created enough motions in the box tonight. It's true that we were in control, we had a few chances to win the match but we didn't finalise so many chances today.

“It was so difficult, but whatever I say is going to sound like an excuse, but to play here and be precise cannot be in the same sentence.”

Though Pirates have four games in hand over Sundowns, dropping points in games like this was never going to be ideal.

“We take it. It's one point, obviously not the result we were looking for. We want to win every game, but we need to understand there's an opponent that's in front working hard trying to protect the result and they did a good job.”

@Michael_Sherman