Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro played down the significance of his team’s defeat to Cape Town City at DHL Stadium on Wednesday, emphasizing that there is no need for drama and that they must focus on the next match.

The Spanish coach acknowledged the disappointment of the result, stating that they came to Cape Town with the intention of securing all three points.

This was Pirates’ second league defeat this season.

“It is a disappointing result, we came here to collect three points,” said Riveiro, who appeared to be moody and unwilling to answer the question. 

“We have to perform in order to collect the three points. I think we create huge difference between one and the other. 

“But is 1-0, it is a scoring game, it is not possession game or chances game. The only thing that matters is a goal. 

“They scored one and we didn’t. It is three points we cannot get any more, but we can get to the next ones. Now we have to put our minds in the CAF Champions League game and prepare for the next three points.”  

City capitalized on Pirates’ missed opportunities, most notably a penalty by Patrick Maswanganyi that struck the post in the 71st minute. Three minutes later, Darwin Gonzalez scored the winning goal for Cape Town City, giving them their second consecutive victory under coach Muhsin Ertugral.

Despite the loss, which leaves Pirates three points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, Riveiro remained calm. “11 games played imagine and we are still in January. Did you count the number of points that are still to be played to fight? So, there is no drama, it is three points and we go to the next one,” he said  

The next match for Pirates is a crucial CAF Champions League encounter against CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday (15:00). A victory in this match is crucial for Pirates to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition.