Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro emphasizes that winning the Nedbank Cup last season is no reason to rest on their laurels. He stresses the importance of hard work to defend their title.

Pirates face Chippa United in the Ke Yona Cup semifinal at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this Saturday (15:00).

The Soweto giants boast impressive form, winning five of their last six matches and scoring a staggering 19 goals while conceding only four across all competitions.

However, they remain cautious, acknowledging the challenge Chippa presents. Chippa has secured recent victories against powerhouses like Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United.

Despite Chippa’s recent two losses and key player suspensions, coach Kwanele Kopo and his co-coach Thabo September will undoubtedly prepare their team for a fight.

“We understand the difficulty of winning cup games. Every match matter,” Riveiro affirmed. “There’s no room for complacency.” 

Pirates captain Innocent Maela exudes confidence, stressing the importance of recovery. “We’re focused on recovery to ensure we’re in peak condition for the match. It’ll be an exciting encounter,” declared Maela, setting the stage for a thrilling clash. 

Riveiro acknowledges Chippa’s impressive form and emphasizes the need for meticulous preparation. “Both teams are in good form,” Riveiro conceded. “Full respect to Chippa United, they’ve been fantastic this year. It’ll be a complex game, both physically and tactically. We’ll be prepared and aim to enjoy Saturday’s challenge.”

Adding some intrigue, Pirates have a mixed record against Chippa United in recent encounters, winning two, drawing two, and losing one of their last five meetings.

This marks the second cup competition meeting between these sides. Their only previous matchup was in the 2018/19 Carling Knockout first round, where Vincent Pule secured the win for Pirates before they fell to Baroka FC in the final at the same venue in Port Elizabeth.