All eyes on Orlando Pirates, and that’s the way Jose Riveiro likes it
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says all eyes are on his charges before the Betway Premiership restarts as they have already played three games in August.
Pirates played two matches in the Caf Champions League playoff round, beating Disciples FC 4-0 on aggregate with their second leg played on Friday at Orlando Stadium.
They were also in action in the MTN8 as they overcame SuperSport United 3-1 in their quarter-final on August 3.
Next up for Pirates will be their MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash on Tuesday against hosts Cape Town City. The sides will meet again four days later in the second leg. All these matches will have taken place before the new league season begins on September 14.
“This has been a strange season – we have already played three finals, and the league hasn’t even started for most of the PSL teams,” said Riveiro.
“It’s an opportunity to get more mature. One of the things we can do better as a group is (to show up) because we cannot hide ourselves.
“Every football fan is watching us right now because no one else is playing. I guess if you want to watch football right now in the country, it’s about Pirates.”
Riveiro said his main aim was to showcase the ability of his team outside South African borders.
The exposure to African competition would definitely benefit his charges, he explained.
“I think for our players it’s something that’s difficult to measure. But at the same time, I don’t have doubts about their careers, especially the young ones who’ll play against those types of sides and environments on the [African] continent.
“It can help them to be better players in the future. It can also help us to be a better team in the future, so that’s what I am looking forward to – nothing else.”
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