Pirates growing in Caf: Riveiro lavishes players for going toe to toe with Ahly

One might have thought Orlando Pirates had beaten Al Ahly by the way coach Jose Riveiro lavished praise on his players “for the excellent way” they handled themselves against the defending champions at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

But there's no way one could question Riveiro's enthusiasm because indeed his side showed a great deal of maturity in their 0-0 Caf Champions League Group C draw against the elite, 12-time winners in front of the sold-out crowd in Orlando. 

With better luck Pirates could have stolen victory as they were the better side throughout when it came to the number of clear-cut chances created in a game that was tight, tactical and played at a higher tempo than generally seen in the Betway Premiership. 

By sharing the spoils, both sides remain on top of the group with four points but CR Belouizdad, who Pirates beat 2-1 in Algeria two weeks ago, will be pleased they are just a point behind (three) after their 1-0 victory away to Stade d'Abidjan in Ivory Coast on Saturday.

“I think, extraordinary first half from Pirates,” Riveiro raved. “Excellent for gaining the control of the game in every phase, not suffering at all in the defensive phase — controlling them very well in our half and they could only find solutions from long balls from the centrebacks. Some [of those long passes] were just diagonals that didn't finish so well.

“And I think little by little we managed to implement our own plan after 15 minutes. We started to control the central corridor a little more, especially through 'Rele' [Relebohile Mofokeng] and Thalente [Mbatha].

“We knew we were going to have few chances to score in this type of game against this type of team with a lot of experience. They showed they don't have a problem with defending and dictating the ball — they know how to do it. But we managed to create enough chances, and I have the feeling that if the first half was extended for five more minutes, we would get the lead. I think we were clearly superior in that moment.”

It was a marginally different game in the second half where Ahly came into their own, created some chances and employed tactics that brought Pirates' attacks to halt. There was also a lot of time-wasting by Ahly, all designed to ensure they did not lose the game. Overall, the classic North African approach of doing whatever is necessary to get the result in an away game — a draw if it has to be, and perhaps even sneak a win. These are tactics that have been applied in this competition for so long by the Red Devils they come as second nature to Swiss coach Marcel Koller's team, as they target becoming the first team to win the Champions League three times in succession.   

“The second half was just interruptions,” a frustrated Riveiro said. “They stopped the game and didn't allow us to play at the same rhythm we played at in the first half. We tried to get the three points but it's a point and we're still leading the group.” 

The coach, however, was happy with what his players learnt playing against such an experienced, crack continental outfit. After an opening away win against Belouizdad, Pirates will have confidence going into Saturday's clash against Stade in Ivory Coast, who have lost both group games. A victory could leave Bucs well on the path to the quarterfinals. A draw or defeat in Abidjan will leave Pirates with some work to do to fend off the challenge that seems sure to come from Belouizdad.

“We came here today with an inexperienced and young team playing against an opposition with a lot of experience in this type of game; very mature players, and we coped and during more time than them we managed to be superior. We should feel stronger after this match.

“Like I said before this game, whatever happens in these matches, if we face them with the attitude we had today, tomorrow we're going to be a better team. That's important. The level that Pirates players showed today, with the help of our supporters, they were excellent the whole game.

We cannot afford to be naive in these kinds of games. These are games that are played and won by very small margins and the opponent will try to take advantage of every situation.

—  Jose Riveiro

“It's incredible to play in Orlando with this incredible atmosphere. When all those things come together, we're a difficult team to deal with and today there's proof.”

Riveiro agreed that with more experience Pirates could have been better prepared to deal with the time-wasting antics Ahly applied when under pressure. But the Spaniard said these are exactly the lessons he wanted his players to gain from Saturday's match.

“I think most of the interruptions were concussion [concerns] — head-to-head [collisions] — and so in that situation the officials [as per the rules] don't have to wait for the referee to ask them to come. They can go immediately. I think it happened at least three times in the second half.

“We cannot afford to be naive in these kinds of games. These are games that are played and won by very small margins and the opponent will try to take advantage of every situation.

“It's fine, they have the right to do that, but we must do the same also in some of the moments to try to put the game in the rhythm we want to play it at. But when the referee stops the game there's nothing we can do.”