Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena has praised the resilience shown by his side to come from behind to claim a 3-2 win over Polokwane City on Tuesday evening.

The Buccaneers went behind early on in the encounter through a goal from Charlton Mashumba, who headed home from inside the box.

Pirates, though, responded quickly as Mhango equalised from the penalty spot with 34 minutes gone.

The sides were both reduced to 10 men as Thembinkosi Lorch and Puleng Tlolane were sent off just five minutes before the break after an off-the-ball incident.

Mokwena then made some changes which proved instrumental as Tsegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini both came on and found the back of the net to put Pirates 3-1 up.

City then set up a nervous finish as they pulled one back late on, but Pirates managed to hold on for the three points.

Speaking post-game to SuperSport TV, Mokwena praised his players for their resilience and fight shown in the victory.

‘Don’t we love to make it difficult [for ourselves]? I think I’m going to die a very young death. My heart can’t take too many of these sort of matches. What are you going to say?’ he asked.

‘Again a spirited performance. You know these players … I said to them at half time that I’m going to start finding nicknames for them of superheroes, like Batman, Superman and all the likes, because they are trying to prove how strong they are, how resilient they are,’ he continued.

‘We know they are resilient. We know they are spirited. They fight for the badge. They do the best they can especially when the going gets tough, you know. So [I am] very proud of them but we’re still being let down by a few details in our matches.’