Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is impressed by what his young squad has managed to achieve so far this season.
Pirates have one of the youngest squads in the league with over 15 players either 25 or younger and they have been the outstanding ones.
Defenders Thabiso Sesane (24), before his injury, Mbekelezi Mbokazi (19), midfielder Thalente Mbatha (25) as well as 20-year-old wingers Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota have been the most impressive so far this season, forming the core of the side.
What else are Pirates contesting?
Pirates reached the CAF Champions League semi-final, won MTN8, are in the final of Nedbank Cup and still in with the chance of winning the PSL. With such a young squad, Riveiro, who will leave the club at the end of the season, feels the future is bright.
“We played regularly with very young players,” Riveiro said as quoted by iDiski Times.
“It’s fantastic for the future, for their own future as important players [for Pirates] at 19, 20-year-old, although they have many things to improve and proving they are at the level, it’s good news for the club because the future is looking bright for Orlando Pirates with a young ambitious squad.
Riveiro hopes for great send-off
“With one more year of experience in a competition of the Champions League, so as I said there’s a lot of things to celebrate, obviously we’re not happy, we’re sad but the future is looking nice for the club.”
Riveiro has been credited for giving youngsters a chance during his three-year stay at Pirates, the players also repaying the faith with impressive performances, and they now appear to have a spine to build a team on for years to come.
The Spanish tactician will be hoping that his players send him off in style as they still have two more trophies to fight for after their Champions League exit with a PSL clash with Sekhukhune United lined up on Wednesday evening.
