Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has admitted his side struggled in front of goal against Stellenbosch FC and that a draw was a fair result.

Nkosinathi Sibisi put the Buccaneers ahead in the first half with a neat header, before Junior Mendieta scored with a header of his own to ensure the spoils were shared on Wednesday night.

Pirates played some good football, particularly in the second half, but as they did last season struggled to find the killer touch.

Post-game, Riveiro said the result was fair and pinpointed where his side can improve.

“I think it is a fair result, first of all. I think both teams we had a moment to win the game. I think the way Stellenbosch started the game was much better than us,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV.

“First half was very tough, we couldn’t get rid of the pressing easy. A lack of teeth in our attacks, so we lost the ball too many times and we suffered the consequences and we went into half time with a result that’s not probably fair with what happened in the first half to both teams.

“Football is like that. In the second half, we were much better than the first one. We start to play much better with more calm and the freedom we want to play and was probably our best moment in the second half before we concede the goal. But, I think after the 90 minutes it is a fair result,” he added.

“I think we can’t complain about that. We were solid. We were challenged in lateral balls, frontal balls and our aerials most of the times. Most of times in our left side.

“From then they tried to continue with second balls, but we managed quite well. The level we showed defensively was, I think, quite high. We think about the moment of the season where we are,” he concluded.