Highlands Park head coach Owen Da Gama admitted Orlando Pirates were the better side during their opening Absa Premiership clash.

 

The National First Division champions secured a point on the return to the top flight with a 1-1 draw against the Buccaneers.

 

Da Gama says Pirates were the better side, but admits he was delighted with the point gained on the night.

 

“I think in my humble opinion Orlando Pirates were a better team. They’ve got a quality outfit, very good team. I think at times we were fortunate,” Da Gama told SuperSport afte the game.

 

“But from a tactical perspective we were spot on. I mean [Augustine] Mulenga did not do anything and he’s a quality player. We took him out of the game. We knew that he was going to be strong. We knew that [Thembinkosi] Lorch was going to create many opportunities running loose. He was substituted. [Vincent] Pule was substituted. 

 

“So I think credit must go to Orlando Pirates for the type of football that they played. But I’m just happy that first game we get a point in the PSL. We’ll take that point six O’clock in the morning. I’m very happy with the spirit that the boys put in. Talent is important but spirit is just as important.”

 

Da Gama added that his players might have suffered from stage fright against the Soweto giants.

 

“We respect the PSL, you could see that today. We still have a long way to go, we still have to learn. We still have to acclimatise. Our players had a little bit of stage fright, that big match temperament is important. The only way they’ll have it is to go through these games,” he concluded.