Jose: We Will Overcome These Obstacles
Despite their recent 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium in Wednesday’s Betway Premiership fixture, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back.
The Buccaneers are now gearing up to face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium this Saturday afternoon in the 182nd edition of the Soweto Derby.
However, Pirates enter this crucial derby having dropped valuable points in their Betway Premiership title pursuit with the loss to Sekhukhune. They now trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points, with Sundowns having played two games after their comfortable 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Richards Bay on Wednesday.
Adding to their recent setbacks, Pirates were also eliminated from the CAF Champions League semi-finals after a 3-2 aggregate loss to Pyramids on Friday, a result that may have dampened the mood within the camp.
Despite these two disappointing results, which have understandably upset the club’s fanbase on social media, Riveiro asserted that his players will regroup and are ready for the challenge against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
“Surprisingly good,” Riveiro described the atmosphere in the camp.
“We’ve just come from training. Obviously, today [Thursday] was a regeneration session for those who played fewer minutes on Wednesday.”
“I can tell you that I think this season we’ve developed the capacity to overcome any kind of obstacles and find motivation within ourselves.”
“The camp is solid; we are really confident about what’s coming. We know we are facing the final stretch of the season.”
“I’m not the person to be objective, but this season, these players have delivered exceptionally well, second to none for almost the entire campaign.”
“We want to finish the season strongly, and we know how important Saturday’s game will be in setting us up well for this final part.”
These two Soweto giants will also clash again next weekend in the Nedbank Cup final at the sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium here in Durban.
This upcoming derby will be the final one for coach Riveiro, who is set to leave Pirates at the end of the current season.
