Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has explained the reasons behind the drastic improvement in Thabiso Sesane’s performances, witnessed in the first few matches of the new season. 

The Pirates academy graduate was previously sent out on loan to the now-defunct All Stars FC in the 2022/23 Motsepe Foundation Championship, but he has now emerged as an important member of the squad since being allowed to be in the first-team. 

Upon his return from the loan spell in the second-tier, the 24-year-old center-back was integrated into Riveiro’s team and made 11 appearances in all competitions at the back end of last season, including starting the Nedbank Cup final. 

Sesane has contributed one assist in the five matches he has featured in so far this campaign as he continues to impress and has built a solid partnership at the heart of the Pirates defense with Nigerian international Olisa Ndah, with the duo conceding two goals up to date as they reached yet another MTN8 final. 

Now, the Bucs mentor has issued an assessment of the defender’s progress, attributing his improvement to regular first-team football, with other center-back Thapelo Xoki out injured, while Nkosinathi Sibisi and Sandile Mthethwa remain in contention for the starting XI. 

“He’s playing, that’s the big change, he’s playing regularly, so that’s why you are asking me about Sesane,” said Riveiro. 

“If somebody else is playing, then we are going to change the name. The key is to always be on the field. If you are on the field constantly, it means that you are doing well during the week, you are in good shape, good space, etc. 

He added: “When the competition comes, you are at a level that Orlando Pirates needs, and that’s the case. As much as you play, the confidence grows, winning and clean sheets help a lot for them.”  

Riveiro went on to explain that Sesane is in a positive environment with excellent players to learn from all around the squad but has emphasized that the most important thing is to remain as a collective and pull in the same direction. 

“He’s surrounded by excellent football players as well, in the front, left, right, and behind. In the end, we try to be a team that makes everyone look good, but the key is to always be a collective, ” the Spanish coach said. 

“I’m happy with all the individual performances in this moment, some of the players are shining more than the others. In one month, we will probably be talking about someone else, it’s normal there are moments of form, but the most important thing is the team, ” he reiterated.

Post the FIFA break, Pirates will start the Betway Premiership when they host Chippa United on Saturday, 14 September at Orlando Stadium (17:20). 

Article by Trevor Magoro