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Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer was relieved after his charges came up with a share of the loot in his first league game of the season against AmaZulu in Durban on Saturday.
The German felt his players lose control of the game after rushing to an early lead in the 18th minute.
“The first half was good, but after we scored the penalty we were too casual and lost the lead, but in the second half we showed what we can do normally in the game,” said the Bucs coach.
“But it was not enough to win this game because we started too late to [try to] win the game. That is why we tied the game, but this is the point we got and we have to accept it and move on.
“A point is a point and it is important to us. We worked hard to this point and it was not easy. AmaZulu is a good team with a lot of pressure and they were fighting for the three points ”.
The Bucs gained the upper hand via a dubious penalty decision that was duly converted by the league’s top scorer from last season, Gabadinho Mhango.
Referee Abongile Tom gave the Bucs the penalty after Siphesihle Ndlovu was fouled by Sibusiso Mabiliso on the edge of the area. Tom initially appeared to be awarding Bucs a free kick just outside the box, but after consulting one of his assistants, the referee awarded Bucs the penalty.
Usuthu managed to save the point with a penalty of his own that came in the 33rd minute after Fortune Makaringe was judged to have knocked down former Bucs midfielder Luvuyo Memela inside the box.
Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands saved Lehlohonolo Majoro’s opening shot, but was outscored by the AmaZulu forward.
Zinnbauer admitted that his positions have yet to be consolidated as a team, with a couple of new players still trying to adjust the way he wants the team to function.
“It was an away game for us and a home game for AmaZulu, and you saw the results in other games. It’s not easy, the first game [of the season] it’s never easy. But I know exactly how he feels on the team.
“We have new players and we have to integrate the new players. This is a phase that we have, but we need to create more chances in the last third to get the goals.
“It was the first game and we have the next game (against Stellenbosch FC) on Wednesday, and we have to focus on that.”
Zinnbauer hinted he could make a trade or two against Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium.
“We need freshness in the team and we will know exactly in the next two days what will happen … the physical condition and the spirit in the team, then we can make the decision for the next game.
“We are always hoping to win the three points and now it is a home game, but we know that Stellenbosch is a good team. They have good pressure, they always wait for the opportunity and they can play the counterattack.
“Don’t forget the game we played against them biobubble (the Pirates won 1-0). It was a difficult game for us in the first 15 minutes and then we improved in the game. But we know exactly what we want and we will work on a plan to earn these three points. “
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