Jose Riveiro shields Melusi Buthelezi after Orlando Pirates concede six

For the second time in as many matches, Pirates failed to defend a lead and ended on the losing side as Stellenbosch FC won 3-2 at Orlando Stadium on Friday.

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They were beaten 3-1 by SuperSport United in Nelspruit six days prior, despite going 1-0 up inside the first five minutes, and having witnessed his team concede six goals in 180 minutes, Riveiro refused to cast a spotlight on Buthelezi.

"I have to lift all the players – we conceded three goals at a team, Melusi didn't concede three goals. I don't think, actually, any of the goals have clear responsibility of our goalkeeper," defended the Spaniard.

"I don't understand your question – why the relation between this game and, it was clear in the previous game that he made a mistake, but to try and talk about this game and put Melusi in the spotlight, I don't think it's fair for the player.

"We've conceded six goals in two games, it's unacceptable, but it's not about who is between the posts, it's the team. We cannot concede [so many goals], and we are not used to conceding goals.

"But to centralise the conceding of goals to one of the players, I don't think it's a fair question."

Bucs' last two defeats have come against direct competitors and they now find themselves a point behind Stellies after 16 matches, occupying fifth spot on the table – Riveiro was understandably upset after losing yet another six-pointer.

"For us conceding six goals in two games that are actually key for us, because both are two teams fighting with us almost in the same zone of the log," he added.

"So these two games were in red on the calendar for us and we were not at the level that these two teams require if you want to beat them. 

"We don't beat teams because of the club we represent or the names of our players, you need much more things in order to win games nowadays in football, and [playing well for] 70 minutes is not enough, neither is 80 or 85.

"Because the opponent is there and they have things to do, and Stellenbosch is one of the teams that never give up, it doesn't matter what the result is, and today was proof – they also showed it in [the Carling Knockout] final recently."

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