“When the season started we wished, worked and tried to be at the top, but unfortunately it was impossible to achieve that level of consistency to fight for the top spot this season,” Riveiro said.
“Our objective is to finish as high as possible and that means we badly want to be second to play in Africa next season.
“We are going to go all the way until the end trying to make sure we are that team [in second] in the end,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who is second today [Saturday], what matters is who is second at the end of the season in the middle of May.
“We know what we need to do and, hopefully, we are also lucky enough to keep winning.”
Pirates will be on the road again this week as they travel to Gqeberha to face relegation-threatened Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
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Jose Riveiro pleads for consistency from Pirates in battle for Caf berth
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro wants his side to maintain their newfound consistency in the big push for Caf Champions League qualification.
With Sundowns having officially wrapped up the DStv Premiership title at the weekend, Pirates are one of a few teams chasing the elusive runners-up spot.
Riveiro’s men are in second spot, level on 40 points with SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs, with six games to play.
Fifth-placed Cape Town City, who have seven games to play and on are 33 points, can also finish second.
Pirates’ run of three league victories against Swallows FC (4-1), SuperSport (1-0) and Richards Bay FC (2-0) on Saturday saw them move into second place.
Terrence Dzvukamanja and the impressive Monnapule Saleng were on the score sheet for the Buccaneers against Natal Rich Boyz.
Lack of consistency has been the biggest let down for the Sea Robbers this season, but their recent run is encouraging.
Riveiro, in his first season with the Soweto giants, is eager to make his maiden appearance in the Champions League and had hoped to do that via winning the Premiership.
Pirates beat Richards Bay to keep their Champions League hopes on track
“When the season started we wished, worked and tried to be at the top, but unfortunately it was impossible to achieve that level of consistency to fight for the top spot this season,” Riveiro said.
“Our objective is to finish as high as possible and that means we badly want to be second to play in Africa next season.
“We are going to go all the way until the end trying to make sure we are that team [in second] in the end,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who is second today [Saturday], what matters is who is second at the end of the season in the middle of May.
“We know what we need to do and, hopefully, we are also lucky enough to keep winning.”
Pirates will be on the road again this week as they travel to Gqeberha to face relegation-threatened Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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