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Orlando Pirates’ new coach Vladimir Vermezovic admitted he was mystified by his side’s second half performance on Saturday night as they were overwhelmed by Moroka Swallows but still held out for an Absa Premiership win.
The Serbian-coach, who now has three victories in his first five matches in charge, said he had no idea why his side lost control of the game and could not explain how they allowed their visitors to take control, leaving Pirates having to hang onto their 1-0 lead.
Pirates, who won through a 12th minute goal from Tlou Segolela, were on the back foot after halftime but won a vital three points as Swallows’ proved limp in front of goals.
“We want to play football to stay on the ball, to keep possession but it took 30 minutes into the second half before I saw we were able to make four successive passes between ourselves. We couldn’t find any rhythm; we couldn’t defend their long balls.
“It was difficult to play the same team twice inside two weeks and to win twice. Maybe we were lucky but that’s part of the game,” said Vermezovic as Pirates completed a double over their Soweto neighbours,
“Big teams win even when they play bad sometimes. Definitely we didn’t play well in the second half but we won the game and in that way we showed our character and experience,” he added.
