Highlands Park coach Owen da Gama was pleased with his side’s ability to nullify the threats of Augustine Mulenga and Thembinkosi Lorch.

The Lions of the North advanced to the semi-finals of the top-eight competition after securing a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium courtesy of a goal from Wayde Jooste.

Da Gama was impressed with his side’s work rate and defensive ability to negate the Buccaneers attack.

‘I thought we were a little bit lucky in some instances. You win some of the games like this but you lose games like this as well,’ Da Gama told SuperSport TV after the match.

‘I thought the guys defended really well, we worked very hard. The technical team must take credit for a very good tactical display.

‘From a tactical perspective we nullified them. The Mulengas, the Lorch’s – those are X factors – we negated their attacks. But all credit must go to the players, they worked their socks off. I mean we’ve had three forced changes with injuries. Luck was not on our side, but these things happen in football.’