Jose Riveiro hails gritty Orlando Pirates win in Soweto Derby thriller

At a sold-out FNB Stadium, Chiefs came out flying, with Congolese forward Glody Lilepo opening the scoring in just the second minute.

Evidence Makgopa responded in the 24th minute, equalising through a Mohau Nkota assist and at halftime, Kabelo Dlamini replaced Paseka Mako and made an immediate impact, although he missed a chance shortly after coming on.

It was eventually Relebohile Mofokeng, combining with Deon Hotto, who sealed the win for Pirates.

Riveiro says they eventually managed to control the game.

"A really good football game, we showed emotions in the first minute, almost until the last one, without fouls. Slow beginning of the game from our side, Chiefs got the lead very early and they also had a couple of good chances," Riveiro said.

"But little by little we started to get a little bit of control, territorial control not creating so much, but little by little starting to get close to their goalkeeper."

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Chiefs ended the first half strongly and nearly regained the lead in injury time before the break, but Yusuf Maart’s cross was denied by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to keep the score level.

Riveiro says they needed to gain more control and keep calm heading into the second half.

"Luckily, we managed to equalise, it was very important to neutralise the lead soon in the first half. I had a feeling that we finished the first half already better than Chiefs but still just before half-time they had a really good chance to get the lead again,” the coach added.

“The game could have changed in that moment as well but I think in the second half we were close to the football that we've been playing this season and that gave us the proper control, more chances created and the possibility to score a second goal in transitions and also against Chiefs, pressure to create at least three, four good chances to get a little bit more of an advantage.

“And defending I think, defending very well. I don't remember any intervention from Chaine in the last part of the game, with Chiefs chasing that one goal, that means that we were defending solid, well."