Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela admits he was pleased to see Fortune Makaringe and Ntsako Makhubela show their class.
Abafana Bes’thende managed to snatch a point from the Buccaneers after playing out to a goalless draw at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
Despite claiming a point, Arrows are left in seventh place with 32 points from 23 games, while Pirates remain third on the log with 40 points, trailing Kaizer Chiefs by eight points.
Komphela admits that both teams matched each other defensively and offensively, while being impressed by Makaringe and Makhubela’s showing in the first half.
‘Both defensively and offensively we managed all the phases of the game very well both teams. One, Pirates in possession wanting to build, we pressed high, then they went for route one, then we needed to fight for the second ball,’ Komphela told SuperSport TV after the game.
‘Similarly with us, when there was time to build in the first-half they pressed us high, we opted for the long one. So more like both teams play the same kind of football.
‘And then came moments where there was a team in possession, then they were pressed to hell, then as soon as were in possession as well, they put us under fire and we did the same.
‘And for officials, matches of this nature are very difficult to manage, there’s lot of clashes, there’s pressing, counter-press, counter-attack it’s just an ingredient of mix masala but they came through. But I thought there was a penalty we should have got ya [Seth] Parusnath mola.
‘I thought it was one of those exciting draws inasmuch as I know both teams wanted a win I’m sure they’ll go back to the dressing room and say, “You know what we were punching against a boxer who was prepared to stand” and we gotta say the same to our players that, “Listen, we gave the best that we can”.
‘I thought there were moments where both teams played, there was a moment in the first half, [Fortune] Makaringe wanting to show the class and quality, [Ntsako] Makhubela wanting to match. It’s so nice sometimes when you get that level of arrogance from players.
‘To say if you can do it I can do too. Beatiful to watch but again congratulations to Orlando Pirates, they played a hell of a great game.’
