Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has discussed the moment they felt it was going to be their day after they booked a spot in the MTN8 final with a 3-0 thrashing of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Read: Riveiro On Impressive Pirates: That’s One Of The Keys
The semi-final tie between the sides was goalless after the first leg and Riveiro says they were fully aware that getting an early goal, which would count double, was going to make things difficult for Sundowns, given their strength in defending.
"Obviously it was very important to consolidate the plan, to feel more confident to face the rest of the game, with the understanding of the double value of a goal in this tournament, in these double games," Riveiro told journalists in a press conference.
"It makes things difficult for the opponent, they need to score two and we know we're very strong defending, it's not easy to create chances against Pirates nowadays.
"And when we're fully concentrated like tonight (Sunday) it's a difficult mission for the opponent, so that goal created the confidence around the boys that it's gonna be our night you know," he said.
"If we start in a different way, well you never know but we just start like I said before."
Read: Riveiro Praises 'Outstanding' Pirates After Downs Victory
Pirates have been very strong defensively, as their clean sheet against the Brazilians on Saturday was their ninth game without conceding in 15 matches this season.
The offensive part was where the Buccaneers lacked and they seem to have found the solution, with the combination of Kermit Erasmus and Monnapule Saleng upfront giving them much needed goals in recent matches.
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