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A relieved Orlando Pirates head coach, Jose Riveiro, welcomed the two VR decisions that disallowed Pyramids FC goals, but also acknowledged that this serves as an awakening for them to improve how they defend.
Twice in this game, Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana was called to the VAR monitor to run the rule over the goals on Fiston Matele and Sadiq Awujoola and on both occasions, the replays persuaded him to change his initial calls to allow the goals.
As he welcomed the calls, Riveiro also believes they had been warned.
"But no, it's a good warning to do it better, especially in the second one in the corner kick, in the set piece to really analyse what happened and try to do it better next time but I think it's not gonna play a role the way that I assume football is going,” Riveiro said.
“We have to get used to playing with this type of technology as well, and I think in this case, the referees did a good job.”
Earlier in the post-match conference, Pyramids’ head coach Krunoslav JurÄić couldn’t hide his disappointment about the two disallowed goals, but Riveiro says when he finally watches the replays, he will see that the match officials made correct calls.
"No, no goals, there were not goals, if the referee says there were no goals, then there were no goals. So, we can't speak about disallowed goals, it's something new for us, we are not used to playing with the VAR and I understand the frustration of the opponent,” he added.
“but I'm sure once they have the opportunity to check the actions carefully, they will realise that the referee was correct, was right, unfortunately for them the situation and decision was good for Orlando Pirates."
