Micho: Only missing factor was goals

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic likened the goalless draw with Mamelodi Sundowns to a game of chess, as the title rivals could not be separated on Saturday.

The point gained at Loftus Versfeld took the Buccaneers three points clear of Bidvest Wits at the top of the Premiership table and extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Sredojevic felt the result was a fair reflection of proceedings given the tight nature and admitted the only missing ingredient to an otherwise enthralling encounter was goals.

Speaking to the press after the match, 'Micho' said: "We wanted to win, they wanted to win. We had a reinforced defence, they had a reinforced defence. It has been a game where both teams gave everything.

"Unfortunately, the only missing factor for both supporters, we didn't score the goal. But I believe it is a fair result looking at everything that happened.

"I want to give credit to [my] technical team, the players have applied themselves to perfection the way they were supposed to play against Mamelodi Sundowns. It was like chess.

"It was very important that we brought on fresh legs of (Augustine) Mulenga, it was very important that we put on (Thabo) Qalinge for the tired legs of (Vincent) Pule.

"We could not defend by defending but defend by attacking. And in the end, we practically closed the shop by putting Figo [Linda Mntambo] in a three-man midfield.

"I believe it was a good competitive game with the only missing factor being goals."