According to Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, the 0-0 stalemate with Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg was a decent outcome.
He noted that the Egyptian giants tested the Buccaneers throughout the match, and saw two goals disallowed by VAR – one shortly before the break and another late in the second period.
Riveiro suggested the 0-0 result was perhaps misleading, believing both sides generated enough scoring opportunities to have registered at least one goal.
The focus immediately shifts to the return fixture in Cairo next weekend. Pirates will travel hoping to secure an away goal, which could prove crucial under the away goals rule in their quest for a place in a third Champions League final.
RIVEIRO FELT PYRAMIDS CLASH WAS NOT A BAD RESULT
“I don’t know, the game just finished 30 seconds ago, a lot of emotions, a tough game, control for us, opportunities for them. Not a bad result considering that the goals away from home can be double,” Riveiro told SABC Sport.
“We [need] have a very good game in Egypt if we want to go through. But I’m really proud of the boys, yeah still open.
“Yeah, but that’s football, opportunities none of us managed to score a goal. So, everything is open for the second-leg 0-0, not a bad game. I think it was not a 0-0 game, probably both teams created enough to score one goal. But one week.”
Pirates and Pyramids will face off in the second leg on Friday, 25 April with kickoff set 8 PM.
