Richards Bay FC co-coach Papi Zothwane reflected on his side’s tactical approach following their defeat to log leaders Orlando Pirates.

The Natal Rich Boys suffered their first defeat in three matches after going down 2-0 to the Buccaneers at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The defeat leaves Richards Bay remain in 10th place in the Betway Premiership standings with 23 points after 20 matches.

Zothwane admitted that the team at times dropped too deep, which ultimately proved costly, although he felt their improved approach in the second half allowed them to compete better and spend more time in the opposition half.

“It was our game-plan, you know Pirates is a good team, I think we wanted to deny space behind the defenders and our players did that exceptionally well, but I felt too a certain extent we defended too deep,” Zothwane told SuperSport TV post-match.

“We should have taken the line a little bit higher, and that’s why it resulted to two goals because where we defended but I must say they defended very well. Because you’re playing with young boys you always have to remind them, shout at them so it’s the story of every game.

“The reason like I said before where we were playing, I think we were far from the goals, second half I think we were much better because we wanted to confront them and push the line higher that’s why we managed to play more in their half.

“And I think second half it was much better – seeing the touches that they had they were facing their own goals it was not touches that we dangerous to the opposition. We wanted to test their defenders but unfortunately it wasn’t to be today,” he concluded.