Riveiro Emphasizes Importance Of Soweto Derby Win For Pirates’ Title Hopes
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro emphasized the importance of victories like Saturday’s Soweto Derby win against Kaizer Chiefs, stating that such results are crucial for their Betway Premiership title aspirations.
Riveiro’s comments came after Pirates secured a hard-fought victory at FNB Stadium, courtesy of a late penalty converted by Patrick Maswanganyi. Maswanganyi’s audacious Panenka-style penalty, chipping the ball over a diving Bruce Bvuma, sealed Pirates’ fourth consecutive win against their rivals.
The win, albeit with a controversial penalty decision, keeps Pirates in close pursuit of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have 30 points after 12 matches. Pirates trail by three points.
“We know how many points we need if we want to be championship contenders,” Riveiro said after the game on SuperSport TV. “That’s the label we want to earn. We want people to trust us until the end.
“And I think on Saturday, the players showed that they are serious, they are not joking, and they want to be there until the end.”
The penalty, however, is likely to be a talking point for some time, both due to its perceived softness and the manner in which it was taken.
Riveiro was asked about Maswanganyi’s nerve to execute a Panenka penalty in such a high-pressure situation.
“I think it’s a goal, it’s 1-0, it’s three points, happiness, a fantastic derby, well-organized game,” Riveiro responded, having now won four of the six derbies he has coached. “We are all proud of the boys once again. There’s a story behind it, and maybe in 20 years, we’ll sit here again and tell you about it.”
