Riveiro: “No Room For Dropped Points”
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro emphasized the critical nature of securing points, particularly at home, stating that his team cannot afford to drop any at this stage of the season.
This declaration followed Orlando Pirates’ 2-1 victory over Cape Town City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, where Goodman Mosele’s late goal secured the win. Despite trailing in the first half, Pirates rallied in the second, with Mosele delivering the decisive strike.
The victory keeps Pirates in second place in the Betway Premiership table with 36 points after the first half of the season, nine points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played two more games.
The odds were stacked against Cape Town City, who had not defeated Pirates at Orlando Stadium since John Comitis acquired the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2016/17. Their last victory at the venue, as Aces, came in April 2014, with a goal from former Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane. Moreover, under coach Muhsin Ertugral, who had a brief stint with Pirates, City had not won away and entered the match on a four-game losing streak without scoring.
“We will know at the end of the season how important these three points are. But when we play at home, we don’t want to drop points here,” Riveiro said after the match.
“Again, I think we were really superior in the opening, especially in the first half. In the second half, it was difficult with interruptions and subs, and as usual, the rhythm slowed a little bit, but we managed to find the courage in the last 15 minutes, to press them in the box and create enough chances to get the three points.”
Riveiro also explained the tactical substitution of Mosele, who replaced Makhehleni Makhaula, emphasizing its impact on the outcome.
“We needed that type of moment in the game,” Riveiro explained.
“There was a situation that we tried to exploit with our midfielders because of the way they were defending on one side, and that’s why he came in. Mosele, with a different profile than ‘Cash’ at that moment, I think did a good job. Makhaula did a good job in the first 45, 60 minutes, and Mosele completed the job.”
