Jose Riveiro admits Orlando Pirates head into Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs battling to defend set-pieces - 'We are trying to get better and minimise our deficiencies in those situations'

Orlando Pirates were beaten 1-0 by Sekhukhune United in a Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday.

It was the Buccaneers' fifth league defeat of the season and they now trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points, but with only two games in hand.

Wednesday's result was another match Pirates were punished for failing to defend set-pieces, something Jose Riveiro's men paid for during last week's Caf Champions League 3- 2 defeat to Pyramids FC too.

“Obviously, set-pieces are an element that we need to [work on] and we are doing that,” said Riveiro as per FARPost. 

“We are trying to get better and minimise our deficiencies in those situations, like every other team. 

“I think during the whole season we were quite solid and dominating those situations, but it is true that for whatever reasons in the last games we are suffering a little bit more, and sometimes the opponent is more accurate," added the Spaniard. 

"But I think it is something we are hands-on every week, and it is not or shouldn’t be something to panic about; we will get it right.”

Failing to defend set-pieces is something which could affect Pirates for the rest of the season after losing their last two games due to that exact problem.

They now prepare to meet Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday's Soweto Derby showdown at FNB Stadium.

Amakhosi will be scheming to hit the Buccaneers through dead ball situations, the way they recently planned to exploit Mamelodi Sundowns by attacking the weaknesses of centre-back Lucas Suarez in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

Pirates go into Saturday's Soweto Derby without suspended centre-back Nkosinathi Sibisi who was red-carded against Sekhukhune.

Riveiro has admitted they will miss the regular defender, although he has other central defence options in Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Tapelo Xoki and captain Innocent Maela.