Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2022/23 game between Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates at Cape Town Stadium on 7 January 2023 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
270 minutes: Orlando Pirates goal drought continues!
Orlando Pirates failed to score in over 270 minutes of football while shockingly registering three losses in seven days!
Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2022/23 game between Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates at Cape Town Stadium on 7 January 2023 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
It’s been a tough week for Orlando Pirates who suffered a third loss in seven days on Sunday afternoon at the hands of Stellenbosch.
The silver lining for Jose Riveiro’s side will be the fact that despite losing to Stellenbosch, they still managed to qualify for the MTN8 final thanks to the away go rule.
The Buccaneers suffered a shock loss against Jwaneng Galaxy last Sunday in their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg clash.
They then went down against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night in the DStv Premiership.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Stellenbosch closed off a week to forget for Jose Riveiro’s side, who failed to find the back of the net in over 270 minutes of football!
Orlando Pirates will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2023 MTN8 final who overcame Kaizer Chiefs in the other semi-final clash. The final will take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 07 October 2023.
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Orlando Pirates vs Stellenbosch: Starting lineups
Orlando Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Mthethwa, Monyane, Mako, Baloni, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Hotto, Maswanganyi, Lepasa.
Subs: Ofori, Erasmus, Mofokeng, Sesane, Shandu, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makgopa, Timm.
Stellenbosch XI: Stephens, Moloisane, Mcaba, Sibande, Jurgens, Adams, Palace, Nduli, Titus, Rayners, Van Wyk.
Subs: Langeveldt, Mphahlele, De Kock, De Jong, Mgaga, Sekgota, Mani, Oura, Boji.
Today’s second leg between Pirates and Stellenbosch gets underway at 15:00.
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Stranger things have happened – Barker
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“An opportunity to go to the final, we go there and know it’s separate from the league. It has its pressures, but it’s a different game. It’s a different tournament so we can approach it with positivity and we give it our best shot.” – Steve Barker said as quoted by FarPost.
“Should we fail, it won’t be because we have not tried, that I can guarantee you. We will try our best and we will be as committed as ever. Stranger things have happened and it’s not impossible for us to get to the final.”
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Go big or go home says Orlando Pirates coach
“The difference between the Cup games and league games is clear. Sunday is Sunday! There’s nothing else after Sunday for one of the two teams,” Riveiro said as quoted by IOL.
“We’ll go forward or go home. That’s the thing that changes approaches. It changes everything. Stellenbosch are not coming to Orlando for points, but to try and get to the final.”
