Orlando Pirates were handed a crushing 4-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, a loss that could have serious consequences for their league title ambitions.
Sundowns were clearly the stronger side on the day, but one factor that may have contributed to Pirates’ downfall was the poor condition of the Loftus Versfeld pitch.
Here’s what Orlando Pirates head coach, Jose Riveiro, had to say about the playing surface:
Riveiro’s Thoughts on the Loftus Pitch “Whatever I say about the pitch will become the headline, and I don’t want to give you that opportunity to make it seem like I’m justifying the loss. The field was the same for both teams,” Riveiro explained to FARPost.
“It’s unfortunate that we had to play this game on such a pitch because it doesn’t benefit anyone. It doesn’t help the football or the risk of injuries. Every action on that field carried a high injury risk for both teams. But don’t mistake this comment for an excuse. We didn’t lose because of the field, but it’s true that it made the game harder for both teams.”
Pirates’ Attacker Seeking Overseas Move Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates are facing a dilemma with their attacking options, as competition for playing time grows intense. One player in particular, who has been struggling for minutes under Riveiro, is now looking to move abroad.
According to an insider, Kimvuidi, known for his dribbling skills, is refusing to be loaned out to a local team and is instead determined to seek an overseas opportunity.
“A change of environment is what he needs, even if it means going out on loan. However, he’s looking abroad rather than joining a PSL club on loan, although that’s unlikely to happen in January,” the source told Soccer Laduma.
