Riveiro: Pirates Fans Key To Sundowns Clash

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is counting on the electric atmosphere created by his fans when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Sunday at 15:30.

The match was originally scheduled to take place at Orlando Stadium on 15 March, but due to concerns regarding traffic control, overcrowding, and supporter security, the decision was made to relocate it to the Calabash.

The fact that the top two teams in the league are facing off is expected to attract close to 90,000 fans.

However, Riveiro does not believe that moving the game to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final stadium will diminish their home advantage.

“For me, I do not doubt that our fans will make us feel at home on Sunday,” Riveiro said.  

“The atmosphere that we are expecting in that game is one of those special ones, and we have an opportunity as a team to make sure that we perform very well for the fans. “Hopefully, with all our fans we’ll have a good game on Sunday.”  

Pirates currently occupy second place with 40 points, while Sundowns lead the log with 58 points. However, the Buccaneers have four games in hand, having played 18 matches compared to Sundowns’ 22.

Pirates captain Innocent Maela, who has seen limited game time this season, understands the team’s responsibility to close the gap on Sundowns, who defeated them 4-1 in the reverse fixture.

“I think every game that we play we have pressure to win, it’s in our nature that’s why we are playing for a big club Orlando Pirates,” Maela said.  

“Every game that we play we play to win. Every game that we still need to play it’s on us to think that we are going to the game and make sure we perform at our level, and the results will take care of themselves.  

“I think that’s the mindset we always had ever since we started with our coach, and we’ll have this going forward.”