Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer is satisfied with his team’s performance following a 1-0 win over Angolan side Sagrada Esperança in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup in Luanda, Angola, on Tuesday.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored Pirates’ goal.
Zinnbauer, who snapped Pirates’ six-year trophy drought when he led the Buccaneers to MTN8 glory following a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic recently, reckons that Esperança were a tough side.
‘‘It was a tough game for us, the weather was very hot and the field was not so good, it had long grass. We had special players on the field and they made a good job. It was a team effort for us and an important away goal. We had more than one opportunity to score. This is a good result for me,’’ Zinnbauer said.
German-born Zinnbauer is happy that the Buccaneers, who had Wayne Sandilands in goals, kept a clean sheet.
‘‘A clean sheet is always important for coaches and the team when you have an away game. We have a good chance in the second leg,’’ he said.
The heat, which was almost unbearable in Luanda, resulted in two water breaks during the game.
‘‘It was very hot, not so easy, a water break was important for us. You could see the team fighting for the results,’’ Zinnbauer said.
Zinnbauer gave Sandilands a rare start in goals and the former Platinum Stars goalkeeper didn’t disappoint.
‘‘We know what we have in Sandilands, he is a top keeper. He made a good performance,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, January is going to be a tough month for the Buccaneers as they are going to have three tough assignments in a space of eight days.
Pirates are going to meet log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership encounter, then face Esperança in the second leg before coming up against second-placed Swallows FC.
‘‘I hope we get a good recovery in the next few days. I also hope that those players who are sick or injured will come back as we have seven or eight games in January. I’m hoping that we will have all the players fit because we have a very strong programme,’’ Zinnbauer concluded.
