MIHLALI BALEKA
Jose Riveiro is banking on his trusted troops to build on last season’s momentum, while he also expects the new signings to add more depth to their squad.
Orlando Pirates are in their third season under coach Riveiro and are hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when it comes to the league title.
Pirates have been outstanding in cup competitions under Riveiro, winning four trophies – two MTN8s and Nedbank Cups – while their only blemish was in the Carling Knockout. So, having grown in leaps and bounds, Pirates are expected to challenge for all trophies up for grabs this season, including the coveted Betway Premiership.
Pirates are hoping to win the league and become the first team to win the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup for the third time in succession. And with his troops having already shown their intentions of securing a hat-trick of MTN8 titles, after reaching the semi-final on Saturday, Riveiro feels that the world is their oyster.
After all, Riveiro argues that he hasn’t had to chop and change personnel during the off-season because they kept the bulk of the team, while trimming the deadwood. Pirates released senior players Thabang Monare, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Richard Ofori, Vincent Pule, Souaibou Marou, Kermit Erasmus and Fortune Makaringe during the off-season.
“If you looked carefully, this is the starting 11 that played the (Nedbank Cup) final,” Riveiro explained after their 3-1 MTN8 quarter-final win over SuperSport United.
“The only difference was that (Tshegofatso) Mbasa and Relebohile (Mofokeng) were on the field, instead of (Innocent) Maela and (Evidence) Makgopa.
“So, there is not much difference. It’s a continuation of what we were doing. Like I said earlier this season, the 20 players that we took to that final are still in the team.”
But while Riveiro is banking on continuation, he’s pleased with the new additions, which include Angolan attacker Deivi Miguel Vieira, who’s affectionately known as Gilberto. There were no new faces during Pirates’ win over SuperSport United, though, but Riveiro says everyone will get a chance to play as they are part and parcel of the group.
“It’s not the core of the group – there are new players and players who are gelling into the team and helping us a lot already,” Riveiro said.
“But there’s a lot of concepts within the group that are working very well. In the end we are in our third season together. So, there are things that you can recognise such as the way Pirates are playing.
“But the new players are quality, something that’s important. They are young and extremely motivated; they want to make an impact in the team very soon.”
Riveiro is right. While they’ll have to build on last season’s momentum, they need to infuse new blood into the team so that they can compete across all competitions.
Pirates have a heavy schedule this season that needs all hands on deck. On top of domestic football, they’ll play in the CAF Champions League.
The Sea Robbers will begin their continental journey next Friday, when they visit CNaPS Sport in Madagascar in the first leg of the first preliminary round. And with the Bucs having to juggle between the MTN8 and Champions League this month, Riveiro says they’ll need to plan thoroughly to reach the targets they’ve set for themselves.
“The schedule is what it is, there’s nothing that we can do. Planning is key in sport,” the 48-year-old coach explained.
“We have games, games, games, and too little time to plan. If you plan better than the opponent, then you’ll have the advantage. And that’s what we are trying to do.”