Orlando Pirates ‘getting close’ to the team they want to be – Coach Jose Riveiro

It was a back-to-back success for Riveiro’s team over the weekend after they lifted the Nedbank Cup trophy.

The Buccaneers came from behind to secure a 2–1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

Relebohile Mofokeng sealed the win for the team in stoppage time.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Coach Jose Riveiro says he wasn’t even aware the team had won the game.

“Usually what I used to think after scoring one goal, instead of celebrating, I used to analyse what was going to happen afterward… this time I didn’t even realise that the game was over.”

- Jose Riveiro, Coach – Orlando Pirates 

Despite the bumpy start to the season, Riveiro brought it all together in the end.

This was an almost completely different team that took on and defeated Sundowns to lift the MTN8 trophy over six months ago. 

Riveiro says it speaks to the team’s evolution. 

“The second half of the season allowed us to introduce new players in our plans, players from our own development which I think is important if you plan to go forward with your own identity.”

- Jose Riveiro, Coach – Orlando Pirates 

 “When you have the opportunity to use a player who know what it means to be a Pirates before they know what it means to be a ball boy, they will give you something that other players won’t give you… that will give us an extra boost in the future.”

- Jose Riveiro, Coach – Orlando Pirates

“We are getting close to the team that we want to be in the near future but still at the same time are competing for trophies, qualifying again for the CAF Champions League… [We are] going forward in our process to become the football team that we want to be..."

- Jose Riveiro, Coach – Orlando Pirates 

“We are working, we know what we are doing. Sometimes it takes time, but we try to be consistent in what we think.”

- Jose Riveiro, Coach – Orlando Pirates 

Watch the full interview below: