Orlando Pirates secured back-to-back wins in the Premier Soccer League after another 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban; last weekend, they beat their rivals Kaizer Chiefs by the same margin at the FNB Stadium.
Despite knowing that he needed maximum points against Arrows to continue pushing for the Premier Soccer League title, coach Jose Riveiro made brave decisions. He rested some key players like his goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Mohau Nkota, among others.
Siyabonga Ndlozi, Simphiwe Selepe, Boitumelo Radiopane, and Yanga Madiba – who made his debut, were some of the fringe players who were given rare starts by the Spaniard. While a section of football lovers in the country might have felt Bucs have given up hope of winning the Premier Soccer League title in favour of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, the tactician has explained his reason for making the aforementioned changes.
‘Pirates' mission is clear'
“Me, as a coach, I wouldn't have the capacity to do it if the club is not supporting those kinds of decisions. We are together on this. The mission of the club is really clear. It's a good message, not only for Orlando Pirates players. If you are ready and the time is the correct one, everything is possible,” he told the media after the win over Arrows.
“The club is doing fantastic in the development, and we getting good products, trying to help them to do the last steps in their formation and they are doing fantastically for the team,” Riveiro concluded.
On Saturday, Pirates play Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup's Soweto Derby final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Bucs are hoping to win the competition for the third time in a row.
