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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic has revealed his side's convincing 4-1 victory over AmaZulu was due to their preparations, which he has called 'punching power'.
AmaZulu drew first blood in Saturday's Premiership encounter at Orlando Stadium, but the Buccaneers responded in the best possible fashion as they scored three times in the first half, before adding a fourth in the 84th minute through Ben Motshwari.
The result marked a first win for the Bucs in four attempts, with their previous victory coming against Chippa United on January 8.
"When you have such a setback it is not football-wise, it's mental-wise. We worked very much in the last 72 hours (prior to the game)," Sredojevic said after the game.
"The faces of our players told a story and our duty as a technical team was to remove pressure of winning from them, the weight of expectations and anxiety so that they could express themselves.
"We called our preparation 'punching power' - punching power of Justin Shonga at top, Nyoso (Thembinkosi Lorch) and Luvuyo Memela behind, with two players wide in Vincent Pule and Kudakwashe Mahachi.
"Attacking with six players means we can have the numbers which can make a difference and help us to score goals. We got what we wanted as we haven't won since our victory against Chippa United, so it has not been easy.
"It is the question of being down on confidence."
He continued: "It was just a question of time before they (players) unleash themselves, but as I said before, when it's good do not fly, when it's bad do not give up. We did not give up on Wednesday.
"But at the moment we have to remain grounded bearing in mind that this is just one step. There are nine more matches to go, with so much at stake."
Pirates next face Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium on March 2.
Kick-off is at 20:15.
