The Spanish tactician has expressed his delight at seeing many of his stars in the national team
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes having many players from his team in the Bafana Bafana squad is beneficial to both the players and the Soweto giants.
Pirates have seven players in the preliminary squad of 38 unveiled by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos this week in Relebohile Mofokeng, Thabiso Monyane, Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Evidence Makgopa.
The Spanish tactician feels his players will greatly reap from the exposure international matches bring and the Soweto giants would be the main beneficiary when they return.
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“I think it’s important for them, and hopefully, we can have those seven players and more in the future. It’s very important to have the opportunity to play those games. It also gives you the responsibility to represent your national team,” said Riveiro, as per FARPost.
“Obviously it’s going to push you to mature and have the capacity to play in those kinds of games [high competitive games].”
Riveiro singled out striker Evidence Makgopa who returned a different player following South Africa’s impressive campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he led the line, as they finished third.
AFCON exposure benefited Evidence Makgopa
“I think one clear example is Evidence Makgopa. I think his performance after the last AFCON, the player that we got back, is a different one. This is in terms of maturity and self-confidence,” he added.
“So, I would like to see the names of our players in the Bafana Bafana list. Definitely, that kind of experience is going to help them as individuals and us as a team.”
