Cape Town - Orlando
Pirates caretaker coach Augusto Palacios has praised the character
shown by his side during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Highlands Park in
the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals.
The Buccaneers secured their passage to the final four of the cup competition as an own goal from Augustine Mbara and Tendai Ndoro's 59th-minute goal handed Palacios' men a two-goal advantage, before Mothobi Mvala pulled one back in the 65th minute.
While he was disappointed to see his side concede against the newly-promoted outfit, Palacios was happy with the grit and determination shown by his players.
"We didn't need to concede the goal because we lost concentration. The character of the players was very important," Palacios said.
"I'm happy, some of the players today showed more character, and I'm happy because the way players promised the supporters.
He added: "We are getting there, sometimes we have this football and sometimes it's too quick because we have no patience on the ball."
Pirates' victory comes at a tricky time when former coach, Muhsin Ertugral handed in his resignation after a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership encounter.
Palacios has been handed the reins on an interim basis until the end of the season when a permanent replacement can be found.