Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has finally opened up on the controversial penalty they won against Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final.
Pirates were crowned Nedbank Cup champions on Saturday after edging Sekhukhune 2-1 courtesy of a stoppage time winner by Terrence Dzvukamanja.
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However, there was controversy, as the Buccaneers, trailing from an early opener by Sibusiso Vilakazi for Babina Noko, were awarded a penalty just before the half-time break.
A player from Sekhukhune, Victor Letsoalo went down in the box and Pirates continued to play when Thembinkosi Lorch, in possession of the ball, went close to Letsoalo in the box and seemingly kicked the ball towards the former Royal AM striker, who was still lying down with an out-stretched arm.
The referee awarded a spot-kick that was scored by Tapelo Xoki as the Buccaneers' equaliser.
Riveiro initially did not want to comment on the incident after the game but in an interview on Radio 2000 on Monday evening, he finally revealed his thoughts.The Spanish mentor credited Lorch for being "smart" by sensing that there was an opportunity to win a penalty.
"I think it's a penalty, it's a penalty that could be avoided, but it happens. Football is a sport of smart people, not only for people who can run and shoot," Riveiro said on Radio 2000's Game On.
"You need to be smart, there was an opportunity in this case for Thembinkosi to pass through and he found that hand. He was smart," he said.
Riveiro was asked if Lorch deliberately kicked the ball against Letsoalo's hand in order to win the penalty.
"I don't know. I didn't even ask him what was the thought behind it. It just happened, it was a hand, it was a penalty, and yes, it was very important," he added.
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