Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro seems to have given up on the DStv Premiership. He believes Mamelodi Sundowns are impossible to catch.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH JOSE RIVIERO DESCRIBES MAMELODI SUNDOWNS POWER
The Sea Robbers were viewed as the team to stop Sundowns from winning a seveth straight league title this season. We’re in April and Kabo Yellow are 13 points clear with two games in hand. Orlando Pirates lurk in third position with 15 points behind and three games in hand. Is it all over? Coach Riveiro seems to believe so. The Spaniard has said Rulani Mokwena‘s side, unbeaten in 43 league matches, are a ‘points machine.’
“I think we have only lost one game in 2024 if I’m not wrong,” said Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro via FARPost.
“We played a fantastic game in Pretoria [against Mamelodi Sundowns], we managed to get the [Soweto] derby. I think we lost against Sekhukhune United, and we were not at our best during the first 30 minutes.
“But I think what happened last week is a clear example [that we’re consistent]. We [Orlando Pirates] didn’t get the result we wanted against Moroka Swallows but it was not a 1-1 performance, not even close. I think we played much better against Swallows compared to Arrows. How can you explain that? After a 1-1 and 7-1. The focus for you or people who’re watching is always results.
“We’re not far from [consistency], we are there, we are replicating performances then results are results. We can still talk about consistency until the end of our lives, but it’s not the only thing to talk about.
The Orlando Pirates mentor continued to add: “And when we see above us on top, we’re competing against points-machine, one team that didn’t lose one game in the last 40 or more games. Is that what you call not being consistent? We got 54 points, and usually you win the title in South Africa with 60, right? Probably you know better.
“But again, we’re competing against the point machine; they don’t lose. I don’t know where we’re going to finish this season. I’m not sure if we’re going to pass that number.
“We’re trying. It’s very difficult to get close, but we’re getting there,” Riveiro concluded.
NEDBANK CUP ACTION
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates are focused on the Nedbank Cup this weekend. The Sea Robbers will battle AmaZulu in the quarterfinals on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Kick-off will be at 18:00.
Can the Buccaneers lift back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles or will AmaZulu or Sundowns get in the way? Let us know in the comments section below.