Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed the reason why he is optimistic about the Buccaneers’ chances of lifting the Betway Premiership trophy at the end of the season ahead of their top of the table clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Soweto giants will host the defending champions at the FNB Stadium on Sunday. The Tshwane outfit won the first meeting with a comfortable 4-1 victory last month and will be keen to complete a league double over the Sea Robbers.

Despite a declining form in recent outings and trailing the runaway log leaders with a staggering 18 points, Riveiro remains confident his charges will turn the tide and be in contention for lifting the championship at the end of the campaign.

“First of all, my players, knowing what they are capable of doing, how they are willing and ready to compete, how hungry they are and our capacity to help them as the technical team to achieve what they want to achieve,” the Bucs mentor revealed why he’s upbeat.

“So, there’s nothing around us that can make me feel anything less than optimistic. If you have a look at our performances in every competition so far, I think we are part of one of the best Pirates teams in history.

“The numbers and performances are there, so why should I look at the challenge exactly in the direction you want me to look at? We have to be positive because we have reasons to be positive, not because I’m trying to motivate my people – it’s a fact, it depends how you look at it but it’s just a fact.” 

The Spanish tactician believes his side has the championship fate in their hands, having accumulated 40 points to Sundowns’ 58, but insists his charges have to punch above their weight to deliver a first league title to Orlando since the 2011/12 season.

“If you look at the games we played in the league and our opponent or the team that’s at the top of the league played already – the log is unreal and still everything is possible and in our hands. We have to perform at the level the challenge requires,” Riveiro added.

Pirates will be in search of their first league victory over the Tshwane powerhouse since January 2020, where a Gabadinho Mhango solitary strike sealed the triumph. Masandwana have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides.