With clean sheets and strikers who can’t stop scoring, Riveiro pleased with Pirates

With three successive clean sheets and forwards who can’t stop scoring, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro could not be happier with his charges.

After a poor start to the season, losing the opening game 1-0 to Stellenbosch FC and dropping points against Chippa United, Pirates have hit their stride with solid performances in the DStv Premiership, MTN8 and Caf Champions League first preliminary round.

In their last three games Pirates have kept clean sheets, two in the Champions League against Djabal Club of Comoros, where Bucs won 4-0 in aggregate, and in their 2-0 Premiership victory against Cape Town City at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.

Strikers Zakhele Lepasa, who has nine goals in six games, and Patrick Maswanganyi scored all six goals in those three matches (Lepasa four, Maswanganyi two).

Keeping clean sheets had been a struggle for Pirates going back to last season. Riveiro described their latest performances as “complete” and “mature” as Bucs were not only solid at the back but productive upfront too.

“I’m comfortable with the result, we really wanted these three points. It’s been a long time that we didn’t compete for three points in the league after our time in the Caf competition,” Riveiro said after the City match.

“We finished the last league game not with a good taste against Chippa United and we really want to continue with [the form from] victory tonight.

“We did a good job, starting well, in control and we managed to get the lead early. After that we modified some of the things because Cape Town City did it [changed their approach] too with the high pressing. 

“It’s been a long time that someone pressed us high here in Orlando and they did it very well.

“But I think we did enough to get more advantage in the second half. We struggled a bit in the beginning [of the second half] and that’s normal because they [City] needed to change and find their ways to the goal.”

Pirates have been lethal in front of goal this season, scoring 16 goals in seven matches in all competitions, with red-hot Lepasa leading the way.

“We need to make sure our forwards and the ones who are coming from the second line have chances,” Riveiro said.

“So we try to generate as many chances as possible. That’s our obsession to spend as much time as possible in the opponent’s half.

“Tonight it was tough to do because of the way that Cape Town City were pressing. If we are capable of having the team playing close to goal for long periods, with the quality that we have in front it’s going to work for us.

“That’s why the forwards are scoring and maybe that’s why the goals this season are a bit more stretched within the group, even though 'Zakes' [Lepasa] is in very good form — a moment that a striker needs for confidence, even if it’s a rebound or header.

“Like tonight you could see he is in a good space and we just have to try continuing with that with whoever is playing there — Zakes or somebody else in his position.”

Pirates travel to Stellenbosch FC next for the first leg of the MTN8 semifinals at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday (3pm).