Riveiro: Pirates Can’t Afford To Drop Points
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro emphasizes the importance of securing points as they find themselves in a tight battle for second place with Stellenbosch. This position is crucial for qualifying for the CAF Champions League next season.
Currently, Pirates occupy second place with 43 points after 26 matches, trailing Stellenbosch by three points. Unlike Pirates, Stellenbosch were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup semifinals by Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
The Soweto giants, on the other hand, reached the Ke Yona Cup final after convincingly defeating Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. They will face Sundowns in the final on 1 June at Mbombela Stadium.
Riveiro, whose team participated in the Champions League this season but fell short in the second round, highlights the significance of Pirates returning to the competition.
“For us, that game (against Chippa on Wednesday) is another final,” declared Riveiro.
“We want to be in the second position at the end of the season. To make it possible, we know that we have to win every point. Stellenbosch is doing well, they are in a good moment of form, and they are pushing us to the limit, to make sure that we don’t fail, that we don’t, how can I say, we don’t have a bad day?
“We cannot have a bad day from now on until the end of the season.
“The way that Chippa is going to approach the game is something that is not in my sight.”
Pirates will face Chippa again at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday in a DStv Premiership clash, while Stellenbosch will host AmaZulu.
To climb to second place, Pirates need a two-pronged approach: Stellenbosch losing to AmaZulu and a victory against Chippa by a margin exceeding two goals.
Riveiro compared this situation to their recent doubleheader against AmaZulu in the Nedbank Cup final and the league, where they emerged victorious on both occasions.
“We were in a similar scenario a few weeks ago when we played AmaZulu in a quarter final and three days later we hosted them in Orlando and it was a really difficult game,” said Riveiro.
“After these 90 minutes (on Saturday), we know each other even better than before. So, it’s going to be tight game, defined by small margins.”
Picture courtesy of Orlando Pirates
