'Completely out of it' - Zinnbauer laments Orlando Pirates' first-half display against Black Leopards

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer was disappointed by his side's first-half display in their defeat to Black Leopards on Sunday afternoon. 

The Buccaneers suffered their second defeat of the season in the PSL when they lost 2-0 to a struggling Lidoda Duvha side at Thohoyandou Stadium.

The first-half was dominated by Leopards and Pirates defender Innocent Maela scored an own-goal, before Roderick Kabwe doubled the hosts' lead.

"We were completely out of it in the first-half, the first-half I don't know what we did but it was not what we spoke about before," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV. 

"When you play a relegation team, they run, they fight for the three points, they give 100 percent, more than 100 percent.

"We stayed on the field, watched a little bit of the game, you cannot win the game if you don't play in the first-half, it's not possible."

Zinnbauer felt that his charges were completely out of it in the first-half with Pirates shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands having been the busier of the two goalkeepers. 

"Mentally its another thing, all clubs now play a lot of games, it's a mental thing," the German tactician continued. 

"You cannot more than say, 'Be careful, they fight, they give all for three points, fight for this, win your duels, it's important in the first 20 minutes' and the whole 45 minutes it was not in."

The Buccaneers came into the clash oozing with confidence having thrashed Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-0 in a league game at Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday. 

Zinnbauer was also disappointed to see his side fail to record another victory at the same venue. 

"Last game it was same game, same field, the 45 minutes in and then you have a chance to win the game but at half-time, you get [concede] two goals, it's not possible," he added. 

"They did a better job in the second-half but it's not enough to win a game."

The defeat saw Pirates remain fifth on the league standings and they will get a chance to climb up the log when they face Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.

Pirates will host Arrows at their iconic home ground, Orlando Stadium.