4 Cups in 2 Seasons: Orlando Pirates under Jose Riveiro

Orlando Pirates have become the only DStv Premiership team with two domestic trophies this season. Jose Riveiro has suggested more is coming next season.

JOSE RIVEIRO SUCCESS AT ORLANDO PIRATES

The 48-year-old Spaniard arrived in June 2022. With two seasons under his belt, Orlando Pirates won a fourth trophy in the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Mbombela on Saturday. Themba Zwane opened the scoring for Kabo Yellow, before Orlando Pirates’ equaliser and winner came from Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng.

“A really bad beginning of the games from our side, it takes a lot of time for us to be connected with the rhythm that Sundowns apply in the first 15/20 minutes,” Riveiro said via SABC Sport.

“I don’t know maybe a little bit nervous but not comfortable. Due to that domination in the beginning, they got a penalty, they got an opportunity to get the lead. I think one more time Sipho [Chaine] was fantastic at that time,” Riveiro added.

JOSE RIVEIRO AT ORLANDO PIRATES

• MTN8 – 2022/223
• Nedbank Cup – 2022/23
• MTN8 – 2023/23
• Nedbank Cup – 2023/24.

HAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF FOOTBALL

Speaking to the media on Saturday night, Riveiro said that the team has grown and matured compared to last season.

“If you ask me as a person who’s involved in the group every single minute and I know what we are, what you used to say here ‘cooking’. We are cooking, I think the progression, the evolution of the team, this season is superior than the last season in my opinion,” the Orlando Pirates coach continuted.

Despite finishing with lower points this season compared to last season, Riveiro feels that the football was better this season.

“That means 8/10 or 7 and a half, I don’t know, it might be our fans the ones who will in the end and you guys judge the work that we do but me because my position maybe an important part in the group, like I said before the final this season in terms of football is better than the last season,” the Orlando Pirates metor added.

Meanwhile, with the CAF Champions League coming next season, the Buccaneers are expected to add a number of new players to create depth. The likes of Thabang Monare, Fortune Makaringe, Kermit Erasmus, Zakhele Lepasa, Katlego Otladisa and Souaibou Marou are set to be leaving.

This futher means that Orlando Pirates will be focusing on signing midfielders and forwards rather than players in the backline.