Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro said his side put on one of their better performances this season as they won 2-1 away against Lamontville Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership on Sunday to move up to third in the standings.
☠️ FT || @goldenarrowsfc1 1 - 2 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) December 17, 2023
🥅 30' (P) Maswanganyi
🥅 56' Kimvuidi
🎙 Defender | @miguel_timm
🎙 Man of the Match & Goalscorer | Karim Kimvuidi
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#Matchday #DStvPrem#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/AxtGpBQPke
It stretched their unbeaten run to seven games and allowed them to climb above Cape Town City on goal difference.
“We started the game with the right way to start an away match in a difficult place, where to keep a high rhythm is difficult. But I think we managed to be in control for 20-25 minutes until we got the penalty,” said Riveiro.
Gladwin Shitolo brought down the Congolese winger Karim Kimvuidi and Patrick Maswanganyi convert the subsequent spot kick but Arrows got a penalty of their own just before halftime after a needless foul by Nkosinathi Sibisi.
“After getting the lead, we played a little bit casual for a short space of time and in that moment they punished us with unnecessary penalty.
“But I think we came back in the second half quite strong. We played good football, probably our best 45 minutes in an away game this nseaons in the league. plenty of chances. Again, we shouldn't have been under any stress at the end of the game, taking in account the amount of situations that we had to get a comfortable lead.
“But overall it was a good game.”
Riveiro said he was also pleased with the performance of some of the fringe players who were given a run out like Kimvuidi, who scored the second half winner, and Katlego Otladisa.
“It's important that we don't say that we have a good squad when we check the names on paper also when they are on the field, they can show that they are at the right level.”