Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has responded to Evidence Makgopa's critics after the striker netted the winner in the Soweto Derby.
Makgopa got his first goal in the derby to hand the Buccaneers a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
Makgopa has been under pressure from supporters to get the goals and the Spanish coach said that he's happy for him, as the goal will boost his confidence going forward.
Read: Soweto Derby Debutant Fires Bucs Past Chiefs
"It's the same, but we're looking at him when he's scoring, it's normal, he's a striker," Riveiro told SuperSport after the game,
"He's been doing an excellent job so far.
"I'm so happy for him today because sometimes it's not easy for our young boys to deal with all the things you have to deal with when you're playing for the big clubs and he's getting experience and this game is gonna help him a lot going into the future."
Pirates also lost Thabiso Monyane and Kermit Erasmus to injury, and Riveiro has praised the fitness coaches during these hectic last few weeks.
"I think we're doing an excellent job in that sense, physios, fitness coaches, everybody else around the players, because it's our seventh game in 22 days, think about it," he said.
"And the level that we performed today tells a lot about the way everybody is working around them and they are answering in the right way," he added.
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