Orlando Pirates have another football game in to Gqeberha to face Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup semifinals at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Coach Jose Riveiro has explained the wonferful form displayed by the Sea Robbers.
Orlando Pirates’ Ke Yona journey started with a 6-0 win over Crytal Lake, followed by a 4-0 win over Hungry Lions and a 4-2 win over AmaZulu. Major contributors included Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
After beating Cape Town City 2-0 in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday, the Soweto giants are in Eastern Cape.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON THE FORM
Consistency, at last. Orlando Pirates have won five straight games. What has changed?
“It’s probably not one reason,” coach Riveiro said via TimesLIVE.
“It’s part of the process, it’s a moment where I think we have many players in good form, many who are not participating in every game but are still pushing and helping those playing to keep that form.
The Orlando Pirates tactician added: “One of the key things is we are converting our performances into goals and results are coming, and when the results are coming everybody feels much more confident and you can even perform past your average.
“The team is in a moment where it feels confident. We went through a good period now facing different challenges, coming back in games, facing different scenarios, and even with all of those scenarios we managed to put the game in our way,” the Spaniard concluded.
NEDBANK CUP: CHIPPA UNITED VS ORLANDO PIRATES
It’s not a year since the Buccaneers beat Sekhukune United in the final, with Tapelo Xoki and Terrence Dzjukamanja scoring to cancel Sibusiso Vilakazi‘s opener. Today is another day to book another place in the final.
According to the Premier Soccer League and Nedbank Sport, today’s semifinal against Chippa will kick off at 15:00. The likes of Makhehleni Makhaula and Patrick Maswanganyi will be available after missing the trip to Cape Town due to suspension.
“For the Buccaneers, theoptions at coach Jose Riveiro’s disposal have been bolstered by the return of midfield pair Makhehleni Makhaula and Patrick Maswanganyi,” Orlando Pirates reported.
“Both players are again eligible for selection after missing the midweek clash against City through suspension after picking up yellow cards against Royal AM.
“Fullback Thabiso Lebitso is meanwhile ruled out of the match against his former team as he continues his recovery from an injury picked up on Sunday,” the note added.
Orlando Pirates also chose Relebohile Mofokeng as the player to watch. “Relebohile Mofokeng, the ever-improving Mofokeng continues to impress in what is his first full season with the senior team. The 19-year-old playmaker is fresh off another confident display where he chipped in with two assists to take his tally to 10 goal contributions in the current campaign,” the club added.
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“It’s probably not one reason,” he said.
“It’s part of the process, it’s a moment where I think we have many players in good form, many who are not participating in every game but are still pushing and helping those playing to keep that form.
“One of the key things is we are converting our performances into goals and results are coming, and when the results are coming everybody feels much more confident and you can even perform past your average.
“The team is in a moment where it feels confident. We went through a good period now facing different challenges, coming back in games, facing different scenarios, and even with all of those scenarios we managed to put the game in our way.
“That’s giving the players a bit of confidence in what they are doing.”