Fuming Riveiro makes plea to Pirates fans & boo boys

Fuming Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro makes his plea to the fans to stop harassing players after Evidence Makgopa was a victim of the boo boys.

Makgopa was heckled by the boo boys as Pirates faced Polokwane City on Friday night in the DStv Premiership.

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Riveiro now sends a message and plea to the fans whom he says must just support Pirates players instead of booing them like they did on Makgopa.

FUMING PIRATES COACH MAKES PLEA TO THE FANS

Makgopa was heckled by a part of the fans at Orlando Stadium during the recent draw with PSL returnees, City.

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Played to a 1-all draw in Soweto and Riveiro wants better treatment from the fans to Rally behind the players.

“For a 23-year-old guy like Evidence, playing his first game for Pirates, it’s important to feel that we support him,” Riveiro said per SABC.

“And when I say ‘we’ it’s all of us – coaching staff, mates, and fans. So, it goes without saying that if the atmosphere is supportive it’s going to be much easier for the guys.

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“We are playing for a lot of young players nowadays, and it’s important that we take care of them, that we protect them.”

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PIRATES PLAYERS UNDER PRESSURE FROM FANS, RIVEIRO MAKES A PLEA

The reigning MTN8 champions, Pirates continued to misfire in the league and the fans are seemingly frustrated.

In addition, Riveiro understands that at a club like Pirates, there is a lot of pressure on players to perform and deal with the expectations of the supporters.

“Whoever is playing the number nine position feel that we trust him, it’s going to be much easier for him to score goals, to play good passes,” adds the coach.

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“But at the same time, we are all professionals, we have to handle the heat. The players always try to do the things as good as possible. 

“Last season we had a similar situation with one of our strikers. He came in, with 10 minutes to go, we were 1-1 here against Golden Arrows, and suddenly he scored a goal and gave us three points. And the people got quiet. 

“Makgopa was very close to scoring the second goal [against Polokwane] which is a good signal that even though things were not easy for him, he continued trying.

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“And he wants to show to everyone around that he’s a good player, and has the level to play in that position for Pirates.”

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