Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Chippa United coach Joel Masutha believes defensive carelessness was a major reason behind his side's 4-2 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday night.
Pirates were perhaps also unconvincing at times at the back with Happy Jele and goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane guilty of making some key errors which allowed Tebogo Tlolane to score, whereas Innocent Maela hit an own goal.
Meanwhile, Bucs' four strikes came from Jele, Phetso Maphanga (own goal), Vincent Pule and Kudakwashe Mahachi.
Speaking to SuperSport after the game, Masutha said: "The defensive errors [killed us], especially [because] we conceded the first goal in the third minute. Corner kick, no one even attempted to head the ball. For me it was a giveaway.
"I can say this game was determined by giveaways. For me Pirates' fourth goal was the only goal they worked hard for. It was well worked for. That one I can't fault my players. But the other three we could have done better.
"It's tough, when you're down there [at the bottom], there's a lot of things going on in the players' heads - stress and this and that which we have to manage.
"But I felt we didn't defend well, that gave Pirates the confidence to come at us. Pirates, yes they played well but they didn't turn us that much. They were not four goals better than us.
"I think we just need to tighten at the back and make the right decisions."
It appears that the Chilli Boys mentor could be on thin ice with the side now having lost three games in a row. Club boss Chippa Mpengesi is notoriously trigger happy having sacked Dan Malesela and Eric Tinkler already this season.
