Pirates Manager Praises Team’s Performance

Roger de Sa heaped praise on his “fringe players” after Orlando Pirates beat Zanaco FC to progress in the Champions League.

Pirates took a 1-0 lead into the match, after beating Zanaco in Zambia three weeks ago.

Khethowakhe Masuku opened the scoring with a spectacular long range drive in the first half, before former Bucs striker Davies Mwape set up his namesake, Musonda Mwape, who nodded home in just the fourth minute of the second half to bring Zanaco back into the game.

However, a free-kick by substitute Mpho Makola sealed the win for Bucs.

Pirates also lost Andile Jali, who was forced off with a knee injury following a tackle by Davies Mwape.

“I am happy that our players who have been fringe players are doing well with the chance they are getting and are now becoming regulars,” De Sa says.

“Masuku has grabbed his chance and also scored and I am also happy for Makola as he came in and scored. With injuries [to the squad] he might become a regular.”

De Sa admits that the Zanaco goal gave him a fright.

“Our away goal was very crucial but we wanted to forget it going into the match. We got a scare when they got that goal but after that we controlled the game like we did in the first leg in Zambia.”

Zanaco coach Keegan Mumba says his team conceded “silly goals”, and says they were unluckly not to go through.

“After being level at 1-1, we allowed a silly goal, and also having conceded the away goal the battle was getting tougher as the match progressed.

“Honestly though, Pirates never worked for any of the goals they scored. The first one was taken from far and the second one was a set-piece …

“I think also we were affected by losing our central defender through injury. But we played better than we played in the first leg but I still think it was not our day. Congratulations to Orlando Pirates for going through to the next round.