“We have to [train during the break] without our international players who are with their national teams; we are proud to send those players to the national teams. We will try to keep the players fit and have our internal competition at the end of the week where we are not playing for points but to keep players hungry.”
Riveiro said it was crucial for Pirates to close the gap on SuperSport on Saturday.
“We had an opportunity to do the job of seeing SuperSport dropping points and we did it. The game somehow looks like more than a league game — I don’t want to say a final because they still have the advantage ahead of us.
“They are not going to give anything for free, it is going to be a difficult fight until the end. We have to capitalise on these three points because it is much more than three points.”
A visibly disappointed SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt said little after the game. “We lost and I am very disappointed but that’s football, another penalty against us and we have had a few this season.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
‘More than three points’: Riveiro hopes United win sparks Pirates to second
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is hoping their 1-0 DStv Premiership win over SuperSport United on Saturday night provides a much-needed spark for them in the tightly-contested race for second spot.
Mamelodi Sundowns need two points from seven matches to officially clinch their sixth successive title but Pirates, SuperSport and Kaizer Chiefs are involved in a battle for second place that comes with Caf Champions League football next season.
Second-placed SuperSport have a slight advantage with 39 points from 23 matches. But United's defeat on Saturday night leaves Pirates and Chiefs, who beat Maritzburg United 3-2 in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night, breathing down their necks — both with 37 points from the same number of games.
Riveiro said his side's vital win at Orlando Stadium, secured through a second-half penalty by Tapelo Xoki, is good for his team's confidence and momentum as they aim to make a charge to secure the runners-up position.
“The confidence and the trusting [in the process] in general is going to be good but we still have 21 points to play for and I can guarantee you that SuperSport United are going to fight until the end,” the Spaniard said.
“Those teams that are coming from behind us will also have opportunities and I anticipate that the last three games of the season are going to be very entertaining [for supporters].”
Domestic football goes into a two-week break for the coming Fifa international date. Riveiro said Bucs will use the time to refresh the players ahead of Pirates' return to play in their league match against Richards Bay FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on April 1.
“It is an opportunity to refresh legs and minds, we are not going to have much rest because we have a lot of things to do. The Richards Bay game is coming very soon and it is going got be difficult.
“We have to [train during the break] without our international players who are with their national teams; we are proud to send those players to the national teams. We will try to keep the players fit and have our internal competition at the end of the week where we are not playing for points but to keep players hungry.”
Riveiro said it was crucial for Pirates to close the gap on SuperSport on Saturday.
“We had an opportunity to do the job of seeing SuperSport dropping points and we did it. The game somehow looks like more than a league game — I don’t want to say a final because they still have the advantage ahead of us.
“They are not going to give anything for free, it is going to be a difficult fight until the end. We have to capitalise on these three points because it is much more than three points.”
A visibly disappointed SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt said little after the game. “We lost and I am very disappointed but that’s football, another penalty against us and we have had a few this season.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
MORE:
Tapelo Xoki's penalty helps Pirates edge SuperSport in battle for second spot
Chaine kept on his toes by stiff competition among goalkeepers at Pirates
‘It’s too easy for Sundowns’: Bafana coach Broos in damning assessment of Chiefs and Pirates
Is Rulani our Special One?
He’s a big prospect as a No 9: Riveiro on Pirates’ forgotten striker Makgopa
Kaizer Chiefs secure hard-fought victory over Maritzburg to remain in race for second place
Bafana keeper Williams seals Sundowns’ qualification for CCL last 8
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos