Orlando Pirates have made a habit of putting up a late show this season, but it backfired in their match against Black Leopards according to coach Josef Zinnbauer.

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Leopards condemned Pirates to just their second loss this season when outclassed Zinnbauer’s men with a first-half masterclass.

Despite going down two goals down in the first half, there was hope that Pirates would mount a comeback, after all, it is something they have done on numerous occasions this season.

However, Leopards displayed nerves of steel against their more accomplished opponents and frustrated the Buccaneers to walk away with all three points in Thohoyandou.

For Zinnbauer and his troops, it was a case of too little, too late.

“You saw the players in the second half, it’s not like they did not want to work, they want to fight but its too late and you get problems with the results, but if you score earlier then it is possible but the minute you don’t score, it’s difficult,” Zinnbauer told Pirates media in his post-match address.

“They worked, they ran, they fought for the second half, but it was not enough. We lost it in the first half,” Zinnbauer said.

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Pirates now turn their attention to Mandla Ncikazi’s undefeated Golden Arrows, who they face at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

“We have to keep our heads up and prepare the guys for Wednesday. It is also a big game for us. They are in the same area of the table as us and we have to win the three points,” Zinnbauer concluded.

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