Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has weighed in on the prospect of his side reaching the CAF Champions League group stages following their 4-0 victory over Disciples FC on home soil on Friday night.

The Soweto giants are aiming at advancing to the Champions League group stages for the first time, having since done so in the 2018/19 season under the tutelage of Serbian mentor Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic. 

The 1994/95 African champions suffered a shock and disappointing exit in the second preliminary round of the continental competition at the hands of Botswana giants Jwaneng Galaxy last season via penalties after a 1-1 score on aggregate. 

They will face the same opposition in the second round yet again, with both matches taking place in September where they will be hoping for an outcome that will be favorable for them which will grant them a passage to the continental group stages. 

The Spanish mentor says advancing to the group stages of the continental competition would allow his side to showcase their brand of football to the rest of the continent while admitting the job is not yet done. “Personally, nothing else than the same for my team and group of players to have the opportunity to go there together, to show who we are also in the continent, the type of football we want to play, ” the Pirates mentor said. 

“But we have to take every game like what it is, we are going to play two more finals if we are going to be in that group stage and I think that for our players it is something difficult to measure, but at the same time, I don’t have doubts.” 

Riveiro has emphasized the importance of playing these high-intensity continental matches, especially for the younger figures in his squad, citing that it will aid in their development as footballers. 

“It’s going to be crucial for them in their careers, especially for the young ones to have the opportunity to play against the type of sides in those type of environments you find in those continents, ” said Riveiro.

“It can only help them to be better players in the future, it can also help us be a better team in the future as well. So, that’s what I’m looking for, nothing else.”

Article by Trevor Magoro