Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer was full of praise for Gabadinho Mhango and Siphesihle Ndlovu following their performance against Maritzburg United.

The Buccaneers managed to walk away with all three points after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over the Team of Choice at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening courtesy of a goal from Mhango.

Zinnbauer was delighted to see Mhango return to the scoresheet, while also praising Man of the Match Ndlovu for his impressive performance against Maritzburg.

‘I think we had good chances to score in the first half, but we know Maritzburg is a good team and we saw this in the second half – they came more and more, closer to goal but we had a good defensive structure,’ reacted Zinnbauer after the match.

‘We have Gaba back, but I think for the whole team it was completely a collective effort with and without the ball, and this was the reason we won the game.

‘Compliments to Mhango, who came back from an injury, and he make a top game, he’s always fighting for us.

‘Ndlovu – man of the match, I think it’s 100% agreeable with this trophy that he got, he gave a top performance – he was top offensively and defensively.

‘He organised things on the pitch and made a top job, and we have luck. As a coach, you make a substitute with Gaba and he scored, so that’s what the coach always wants to see.’