We want to represent Pirates in Africa next season...badly - Says Riveiro.

 

                                                              Image credit: Twitter

In the beginning of the season, Orlando Pirates were tipped as the team to finally give Mamelodi Sundowns a good run for their money when it comes to the league title.

Despite succeeding in wrestling the MTN8 trophy away from the Brazilians, Pirates fell short in the league race, with Sundowns already crowned Dstv Premiership champions, with seven matches to spare.

The inability to consistently find the back of the net was Amabhakaniya’s biggest let down in the title race this season, which led to them losing or drawing games they should have comfortably won to put pressure on Sundowns.

Lately though, Pirates seem to have found their scoring boots, as they stage a serious assault for the Caf Champions League spot, they are currently second on the log with 40 points, tied with SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs, but ahead on account of their better goal difference.

Their head coach, Jose Riveiro, is impressed with the improvements his side have shown, especially in the second half of the league, and believes they can only get better.

“The results are there. If we look at the results of 2023, we'll find Pirates winning a lot of games. However, there's always one topic to discuss," said Riveiro after his side’s 2-0 victory against Richards Bay on Saturday, as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/football/news/orlando-pirates-jose-riveiro-chasing-champions-league-qualification

"Early in the season, we were discussing that we don't capitalise on the chances we create, then we were discussing that we don't score in the second halves, now it's lack of consistency that we are discussing."At this moment, we are second, so we are getting there...we are getting it right. From my point of view, the team is improving...that's what we feel with the players, but we are still far from being a complete team. We still must or should, in the future, play better.""When the season started, we wished and worked to try to be at the top, but unfortunately, it was impossible this season to achieve that level of consistency to fight for the top spot.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/what-shabalala-and-zwane-must-know.htmlRiveiro’s ambition is to see Amabhakaniya competing in the CAFCL next season, something that will be good for both the club as well as the national team.

With Pirates having a few players representing the country, playing against the best in Africa is a must, as they can transfer that experience to Bafana Bafana.

"Now, our objective is to finish as high as possible, and that means we want to be second...we want to represent Pirates in Africa next season badly, and we'll go all the way until the last day trying to make sure that we are that team who finishes second in the end," he added.