DStv Premiership: Orlando Pirates Coach Fadlu Davids Blames CAF Confederations Cup for Golden Arrows Draw

• Orlando Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids blamed fatigue from their Confederations Cup campaign as part of the reason they drew against Golden Arrows
• The Buccaneers missed the opportunity to reel in Mamelodi Sundowns on the DStv Premiership log table
• They had played JS Souara on Sunday evening, defeating the Libyans 2-0 in the opening match of their African campaign

Orlando Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids says the rigours of a CAF Confederations Cup match against JS Saoura affected them in their match against Golden Arrows.

Pirates fumbled the opportunity to steal a march on Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership title race, drawing 0-0 needlessly against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium.

According to Soccer Laduma, Davids acknowledged the club's involvement on the continent, but admits it should not be an excuse for the slow start.

He told SuperSport in a post-match interview:

"We started the game very slow. Of course they're a well-rested team having prepared the whole week. Of course, we're still recovering from a tough CAF match. But no excuses it's our first game after this period with two days between.

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"But as our team will get used to these two days between matches we have to start games better. I think that's what disturbed us in the first half. They were on top, we were slow to get into the game. Only in the second half of the first half we started playing."

"We had to fix a couple of things tactically at halftime. Number two - the intensity in our press. If you give them time to play they build up with a flat four plus a double six. They try to draw you out. The tens are in between the lines. We had to get a bit more advanced with our pressing. Sometimes our wingback pressing their full-back and going more on the front foot.

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Orlando Pirates failed to capitalise on Stellenbosch's stalemate earlier in the evening after they played out to a goalless draw against Golden Arrows in a DStv Premiership match at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.

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As reported on Sports Brief, the rivals had to settle for a share of the spoils, with Pirates remaining a point ahead of the third-placed Maroons and Arrows unmoved in 10th position.

Chances were at were rare in the opening 45 minutes as the two teams pretty much cancelled each other out, with most of the action taking place in the middle of the park.