Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro explains Olisa Ndah’s change in 'painful' Kaizer Chiefs loss

Orlando Pirates manager Jose Riveiro has explained the decision to bring on Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah in the defeat to rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Premier League.

Chiefs secured the bragging rights again in the Soweto Derby after a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Pirates, with Ndah coming on as a second-half substitute on Saturday.

The 25-year-old made the difference between the teams as he scored a towering late own goal to give the Chiefs another win in the derby.

In what was a game of two halves, Pirates suffered heartbreak in the end following a fourth successive defeat to bitter rivals, Chiefs.

The Buccaneers played the final ten minutes with ten men after Innocent Maela was sent off for a cynical foul on the hour mark.

Pirates boss, Riveiro, reacted to the situation with Nigeria International Ndah came on for Thembinkosi Lorch, a decision he has now explained was made because he needed to readjust his side after going a man down.

“We need(ed) to readjust because of the red card to Maela,” Riveiro told the media moments after the game.

“So, we need(ed) one centre back (Ndah) and some fresh legs because we were going to be spending time in a low block and needed people to run the space.”

Nigeria’s Ndah featured for Pirates for the first time in three months due to an injury he picked up during the MTN-8 final back in November 2022.

Speaking further on the defeat, the Pirates boss described the loss as painful but added that his side must now move on.

“It is painful for the fans, painful for the players and painful for us,” he added.

“So, the only thing that we can do is move on and prepare very well in the week to face Swallows.”