Marumo Gallants assistant coach Sundra Govinder has described Tuesday's 8-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in a Betway Premiership match as the worst match in his career.
Speaking to SuperSport Television after the match at Orlando Stadium, Govinder said while the soggy pitch contributed to the loss that should not be an excuse. "Maybe even the weather at the start of the game had an effect on the boys but there is no excuse," he said.
Govinder then admitted that the Buccaneers were hungrier to get the goals and maximum points: "I think in the second half they wanted it more than us, they were prepared to take risks and it paid off," he added. "I have never lost by this big score before but it is football. This humbles and teaches us for our next match."
Govinder said after suffering two consecutive defeats that the staff's work was cut out in order to prepare the players mentally for future challenges
"The most important thing for us is to focus on the players; to try to focus on how to get the mindset right so that they are mentally sharp again. The four goals they scored in 13 minutes had an emotional impact on all of us," he said.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs development coach is holding fort at Gallants alongside Duncan Lechesa in the absence of Dan Malesela who is on a special leave. Pirates swept to victory courtesy of Tshegofatso Mabasa's second half hat trick as well as Thalente Mbatha's double and a goal each from Deano van Rooyen, Boitumelo Radiopane and Kenneth Nthatheni's own goal.
Ex-Pirates star Gabadinho Mhango scored Gallants consolation, equalizing in the first half before it all fell apart for the club based in Free State province. The defeat leaves Gallants slightly above the drop zone whereas Pirates maintained their three-point gap behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who edged AmaZulu 1-0 in Tuesday's other match.
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