Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has promised maximum commitment in fighting for the Betway Premiership title. 

After managing to clinch a record third consecutive MTN8 title last weekend and winning his fifth cup as a Pirates coach, coach Riveiro was faced with the team’s ability to transfer the same energy into this season’s league campaign. 

Despite enjoying ample success in domestic cup competitions, winning five of the last six trophies on offer, the Buccaneers have fallen short twice in the league under Riveiro’s leadership.

The 49-year-old tactician has reassured the team’s commitment to putting up a good fight for the league title this season, alluding to the good it would do for the standard of the league. 

“Like I said already a few weeks ago, I think we are taking every game so seriously. We want to commit to the fact that we want to fight for the league as well and we want to raise the level in that competition, we want to increase the level of the league itself,” assured Riveiro. 

In his two seasons as Pirates coach, the Spanish tactician has managed to lead his charges to two second-spot finishes, behind Mamelodi Sundowns who have demonstrated utter dominance, winning the league seven consecutive seasons. 

The Pirates gaffer insists that not only talk but backbreaking work should be applied for his troops to end the reign of Masandawana as the current league masters. 

“To fight for the league, it goes without saying but it’s not about talking here and myself saying it, no we want to fight it. It is something that we need to show week in and week out, wherever we go, wherever we travel, and whoever is coming to Orlando,” insisted the Spaniard. 

Unlike the previous seasons, the Buccaneers have enjoyed a positive start to the new season, winning all three of their first games of the season, which should serve as a confidence booster in competing against the ruthless Sundowns. 

“So far, it’s something that we have managed to do but in a short space of time, we played three league games with three good results. We try to be that team every week again,” he said. 

Undoubtedly, it would take a load of effort for any side to challenge Sundowns who have also won all three league matches of the season. However, in terms of form, no team comes closer to Pirates in terms of posing a threat to the current league champions.