Riveiro Reveals Targeted Points Haul In Heated Title Race
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed the points haul they are hoping to achieve by the end of the season to increase their chances of being crowned Betway Premiership champions as they battle for supremacy with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Soweto giants strengthened their title credentials after securing a slender 1-0 victory over rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The win took their points tally to 30 points after playing 12 matches in the Betway Premiership.
Though the result proved crucial in the title race, Riveiro acknowledges that the two sides were evenly matched in the encounter but insists his charges were the better team on the day and deservedly claimed the bragging rights.
“I think the result is fair, it’s a reflection of both [teams’] performances in my opinion, it was not a 5-0 performance, but I think Pirates was better on the day. It was a nil-nil game without that penalty, I didn’t see that penalty yet but from the bench, it looked like two penalties from the defender and the goalkeeper,” he said.
However, the Spanish mentor has highlighted the importance of not dropping points if they want to dethrone Sundowns, stating that they are targeting to reach over 70 points – a feat the Brazilians have made a benchmark in recent seasons.
“If we want to call ourselves league contenders in South Africa, in PSL, we have to go over 70 points perhaps. Any team that wants to be league contenders in PSL must understand that you cannot give away so many points,” Riveiro asserted.
“Eve though we played at FNB [vs Chiefs] this is a home game for us, so the home games are going to play an important role in that race so it’s a massive victory [against Chiefs]. Plus, all the emotional components, energy, and all of these things.
“We are going to Polokwane [to face Sekhukhune United] on Wednesday and the prize is the same – three points.”
The last time the Sea Robbers won a league match away from Babina Noko was back in April 2022, courtesy of Fortune Makaringe’s late goal. Riveiro’s troops have lost their last two visits to the Limpopo-based club.
