Pirates expected to raid the transfer market, with the CAFCL in mind.

While continuity will be a priority for Orlando Pirates head coach, Jose RiveiroJose Riveiro, to build on the success of the 2022/23 season, he says they will also be active in the transfer market to strengthen the squad.

Pirates showed great improvement under Riveiro, by playing with a clear identity, with a lot of tactical discipline which saw them finishing the season with the second best defensive record in the league behind champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Having qualified for the CAF Champions League, competition they would love to give a good go, and their ambition to wrestle the Dstv PremiershipDstv Premiership title away from from Sundowns, Pirates will have no choice but to make important additions to their playing personnel.

"It’s a market, players are coming and going every season, I hope not many, it’s important to give continuity to the things we built already," said Riveiro as quoted by iDiski TimesiDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/riveiro-on-pirates-off-season-transfer-plans/

"But again probably it’s our obligation, it’s mandatory for us to always have one eye on the market to look at opportunities to improve the squad, the coaching staff, everything because we need to do it, we want to compete and we have to move forward.

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"We can’t think now everything is alright, Riveiro this and the players [are] that, no, we have to be critical [on ourselves], because there are reasons to do that and look for opportunities to make us better as a team."

Pirates did make some interesting signings in the 2022/23 seasons, the three most notable ones being the experienced duo of Kermit Erasmus, former Amazulu midfield hard man, Makhehlene Makhaula, and national team goalkeeper, Melusi Buthelezi.

It will be in offensive positions where Bucs might look to bolster their squad, having relied heavily on Monnapule Saleng in the season that's just ended. 

Riveiro emphasizes the importance of team work ahead of Dondol clash.

Orlando Pirates will take on Dondol Stars on Saturday 15 April at Peter Mokaba Stadium in a much anticipated Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.

The match will kickoff at 15:00.

Dondol have already claimed the scalps of two Dstv Premiership sides in SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC en route to the last 8, and they will have their sights firmly set on Pirates on Saturday with a hope of claiming their most famous victory to date.

But it won't be easy for the third tier side, with Pirates currently on a good vein of form.

In the league, Amabhakaniya are on a four match winning run that has seen them climb to the second spot, having scored an impressive nine goals, with just one conceded.

Their head coach, Jose Riveiro has praised the importance of the collective effort in his side's good season so far, with the MTN8 trophy already safe in their cabinet, and the hunt for the Nedbank Cup looking promising.

"It is a collective sport," said Riveiro as quoted by iDiski Times ahead of his side's Nedbank Cup match against Dondol Stars. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/riveiro-grateful-for-lorch-return-for-season-finale/

"It’s important that everybody understands the different roles that we are giving to the players in our structure in every game plan.

"I’m really happy to be part of the group, to have the opportunity to work with such quality players. Versatile players as well, ready to modify their roles in the game – sometimes to sacrifice things as well.

"And that’s the important thing that everybody understand that when the collective is shining, there are looking [like] better players, better coaches.

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"We are in that stage, so we really want to have all of our quality players to perform and we love that Thembinkosi made it to be part of the group in the last part of the season and he’s been very important for all of us – like every other player before.

"I think we managed through the season to be competitive, it doesn’t matter who was available for selection, I think Pirates were a competitive team throughout the season.

"Fortunately now we are also in a good moment with regards to our injuries and we have almost all of our players available."

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.