Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he is happy with the current players at his disposal after leading the club to their third consecutive MTN8 final, since his appointment in June 2022. 

Following a runners-up finish in the league, guaranteeing CAF Champions League football, the Soweto giants have been active in the market, looking to bolster and trim their squad for the new season. The Buccaneers strengthened their team with the permanent signing of Thalente Mbatha, and the arrival of Angolan international Gilberto and Deano Van Rooyen from Stellenbosch FC amongst others. 

At the same time, Goodman Mosele was welcomed back from a loan spell at Chippa United. Meanwhile, the club parted ways with seasoned professionals including Richard Ofori, Kermit Erasmus, Thabang Monare, Fortune Makaringe, Vincent Pule, and Bongani Sam, who has joined archrivals Kaizer Chiefs. 

Despite losing all these players, the Bucs mentor believes his side has recruited good replacements, and insists he still has a good squad capable of competing at the highest level with a mixture of youth and experience. “We have a bunch of young, talented players, but also winners, ” said Riveiro. 

“So, little by little we have to keep on building that consistent winning team, that everybody including ourselves is looking for.” 

Though pleased with his squad, the 48-year-old Spanish coach has emphasized the importance of delving deep into the market regularly to rejuvenate the team whenever an opportunity arises. 

“I think we have a fantastic squad. I always say this whenever I’m asked that [if I’m happy with my squad], it’s the truth. But at the same time, the obligation and responsibility of the club is to always keep an eye on the market, ” he said. 

Riveiro went on the heap praise on the club’s recruitment team for roping in quality players, acknowledging the difficulty of recruiting the right players, as the Sea Robbers are heavily tipped to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title. 

“It’s difficult to recruit talent, it’s difficult to do it in the way the club is doing it now, with the players that they are bringing to the team, and the amount of talent that they are recruiting, they are doing a very fantastic job, ” he acknowledged. 

Riveiro’s charges will be hoping to overcome the continental ghosts of last season when they travel to Botswana to battle Jwaneng Galaxy for a group stage spot in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on Friday, 13 September.

Article by Trevor Magoro