Better equipped, more knowledgeable Riveiro ready to lead Pirates to glory

Having impressed and proved doubters wrong in his maiden season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is clear about what he needs to do to take the Soweto giants to the next level.   

Faced with harsh and unnecessary criticism upon his arrival, Riveiro weathered the storm to finish the campaign with a cup double of the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, DStv Premiership Coach of the Season nomination and second place in the league.   

The Spaniard is now determined to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title and lead Pirates to their first Premiership success in 11 years. He will also steer Bucs back to the Caf Champions League, and in three cup competitions in 2023-24 with the Carling Knockout Cup having been added to the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.

Riveiro's Pirates, with an already good squad bolstered by decent signings, are regarded as the team to push formidable Sundowns, who have won the league six times in a row, for top honours.   

At a media day ahead of Bucs' opening match against tricky Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, a calm Riveiro sounded confident about the campaign ahead.    

The coach said he is better equipped, being more knowledgeable about the PSL and his players than he was a year ago, to lead a strong campaign.   

“That it’s our second season together makes a big difference about the shape of the preseason where we spent more time and put more emphasis on exercises or activities,” Riveiro said.   

“It must be different — it’s our second season together. At least for me, there are obstacles that are not there any more, and I guess for the players too in terms of understanding and communication.”   

Pirates appeared to be in good rhythm for their preseason, which included a camp in Spain where they won friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel and Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, and they drew against new LaLiga outfit Las Palmas.   

“That we got to travel abroad to play tough and exciting games helped the players not to feel that we are in a preseason, but we are in almost a competitive period because the way they played and approached those games didn’t look or feel like training games,” Riveiro said.   

Pirates' inconsistency was the main factor in them not putting up a serious fight for the league title last season, ending 16 points adrift of Downs. Riveiro also spent the first half of the season acclimatising. He is hoping for a stronger start this season. 

“We are going to play eight games in August, five in the league, so have the opportunity to collect 15 points. 

“But we can only collect three on Saturday, then three on Tuesday and hopefully go through to the semifinals of the MTN8 next Saturday, and so on.

“That’s the way we want to approach the season. We don’t think about titles, we don’t think about finals or challenging anybody.   

“We are all starting with zero points, and we all have a job to do. The only thing we want to do is be the better team in the next game, and then the next one and hopefully at the end of the season we can share something between us and our fans. 

“And make sure we can improve the history of the club. It's our job to do that, but right now we are fully focused as the coaching staff and players and after the game on Saturday we are looking forward to the next one.

”   

Among the Sea Robbers' promising signings are Patrick Maswanganyi, Karim Kimvuidi, Lesedi Kapinga, Katlego Otladisa and Melusi Buthelezi, while the bulk of last season’s squad has been retained.   

Pirates meet Stellies at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday (8pm) before hosting Royal AM at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday (7.30pm).