Second Spot To Be Decided At The End Of Season – Jose

Orlando Pirates’ fight for second place in the DStv Premiership that comes with the participation of the CAF Champions League next season will go down to the wire, according to head coach Jose Riveiro.
The Buccaneers’ hopes on jumping to second were dashed in a surprising defeat to relegation-threatened Richards Bay at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The loss came despite a golden opportunity to climb to second. Earlier on Saturday, fellow Soweto side Moroka Swallows had done Pirates a favor by defeating Stellenbosch FC, the team occupying second place.
“No, really,” Riveiro said when asked if there was a pressure to win this game after Stellies lost.
“I don’t think so. I think, if you see the way we started the game, I think we were on task. But we didn’t find the net early like in the recent games and that complicated more. It is true that maybe we looked a little bit in a rush in the last meters, in many situations.
“But we know we have to win the remaining games before this one and from now on we are used to dealing with that in a place of where we are. This is not a new scenario for us when we must win every single game.
“On Saturday it was good opportunity obviously because we had a chance to take fully control of the situation, but we couldn’t. But still, we must go more games to go into the league.
“I think, like I said one week ago, it is going to be decided in the last game of the season.”
The defeat snapped Pirates’ eight-game winning streak across all competitions and their seven-match league run. They now face crucial fixtures against TS Galaxy (away) and SuperSport United at home, needing to win while hoping Stellenbosch drops points.
Riveiro acknowledged the challenge posed by Richards Bay, who are battling relegation. “They played with heart and intensity, threatening us on the counter,” he said. “Their celebration reflects the importance of these points in their fight to stay up.”
Riveiro emphasized the significance of the remaining matches for every team. “I think, like I said one week ago, it is going to be decided in the last game of the season.”