Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal of the game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday in the 42nd minute.
But despite the defeat, Gabriel felt his side acquitted themselves well against the more experienced cup campaigners, who will now face one of Golden Arrows or Marimo Gallants in the final.
Speaking after the game, the head coach said in the Citizen: "First I must say it was a commendable display by the group.
"We gave Pirates numerous nervous moments right to the final whistle, it even ended up with them resorting to time-delaying tactics such that even their goalkeeper [Sipho Chaine] ended up with a yellow card.
"So, very seldom do you see a Pirates team under so much pressure and siege. We are disappointed with the result, but in terms of the performance, we are not disappointed, I feel that it was a gracious defeat.
"We accept this result, but we must take the positives out of it and continue to grow in our league performances."
The Natal Rich Boyz are next in Betway Premiership action against Durban City at home on November 23.
Orlando Pirates returned to the top of the Betway Premiership after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Richards Bay at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Wednesday evening.
Orlando Pirates return to Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening determined to protect their position at the top of the Betway Premiership standings when they host Richards Bay.
Richards Bay FC co-coach Papi Zothwane admits he wasn't happy with certain aspects of his team's play despite beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on Tuesday.
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze says his team will overcome their recent run of poor form, after going down 1-0 to Richards Bay on Tuesday night.
