Riveiro Backs Youngster To Succeed At Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes emerging youngster in the first-team goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla has the necessary qualities to become an important figure in goal for the Soweto giants in the future.
The Buccaneers strengthened their goalkeeping department following the departures of Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, who has since returned to the club as an assistant goalkeeper coach after being a loyal servant for nine years.
Pirates recalled Dladla from their feeder club Pele Pele FC in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League and promoted him to the senior squad, while Siphamandla Gumede is also back at the club after spending the 2023/24 campaign at Orbit College in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Before joining Pele Pele in the third tier, the 23-year-old goal-minder also featured for the Buccaneers’ reserve team in the Dstv Diski Challenge and also spent the first round of the 2020/21 season out on loan at second-tier outfit Pretoria Callies.
Dladla also featured in the 1-1 draw against Granada as a second-half substitute in a pre-season friendly match in Spain, before appearing on the bench in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final clash against Cape Town City and Riveiro has explained his inclusion in the squad.
“He’s one of our young talents in the squad, with a good last season in the DDC team, ” the 48-year-old Spanish mentor said. “He proved and showed his capacity, a young and talented player, very brave with very good conditions in the goalkeeping department that’s why he’s part of the squad, ” Riveiro added.
The two-time MTN8 and Nedbank cup winning coach has urged the Tshwane-born shot-stopper to learn from the senior goalkeepers and the coaching staff as he believes he can be the heir to the number one shirt in between the sticks for the Soweto giants.
“He’s working very well, he is one of the interesting players for the club in the future for sure, ” Riveiro stated.
“It’s about him to use the opportunity, to learn as much as he can from the people who are working with him every day, from the players that are around in his position, who have more experience. So, all the conditions are there to make it possible, ” he continued.
While Dladla has made a step up to the first team, he faces stern competition from seasoned professionals Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi for the nod to start in goal, with the former having established himself as the first choice.
Article by Trevor Magoro