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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa questioned the number of penalties awarded in CAF Champions League matches following their 2-1 defeat to Zamalek in their Group A clash in Egypt on Sunday.
Pirates conceded a penalty six minutes into the match, but despite the loss they still lead the group with seven points from four matches.
"It's quite sad, every team talk we give we talk about conceding a penalty," De Sa said on the team's arrival at OR Tambo on Tuesday.
"You don't touch them in the box because they're looking for it (penalties).
"I don't know how many penalties are awarded in these completions, and this time Senzo Meyiwa (Pirates goalkeeper) didn't save it."
In three away games Pirates have conceded four penalties, with Meyiwa pulling off a crucial save in their 3-0 victory over Al Ahly on August 4.
Al Ahly have joined Pirates on the same number of points, but the South African team boasts a positive five-goal difference, six better than their Egyptian counterparts.
The excessive heat also played a role in Pirates' lacklustre performance and, De Sa said his side would plan better for the extreme temperatures.
"There were difficult conditions with the heat, that was the downside for us," he said.
"Perhaps in hindsight, we might have spent too much time in the heat and was one of the factors why we were so flat. The more time you spend in 40 degrees the more lethargic you become."
While the loss would come as a blow, the coach said his team was still in a prime position to progress.
"We would have liked to have come back with something out of the game," De Sa said.
"I always thought it was going to be difficult playing Zamalek. They're a tough team to play against."
Pirates will have enough time to regroup before they head to the Democratic Republic of Congo to take on AC Leopards on September 15.
