Soweto Giants Orlando Pirates have started the season in the best way possible; they have won their opening seven Premier Soccer League matches for the first time in their history.
The team successfully defended the MTN8 and despite failing to advance in the Carling Knockout, they will be dining with the best in the Caf Champions League group stage. Last season, they were eliminated in the second preliminary round.
However, their good run is set to be halted by the international break set for next weekend. Coach Jose Riveiro is optimistic the break will give him some time to restructure ahead of forthcoming busy assignments.
‘We have an opportunity to plan' – Riveiro
“That conundrum of the [international] break coming, there’s nothing I can do, so I take it the way it is, it’s a break, it doesn’t matter if I prefer it or not,” the Spaniard stated.
“One of the keys to success in modern football is planning, we have an opportunity now to utilise this time to rest, at least some of our players, refine some other players, team dynamics, behavioural patterns.
“There’s more time to look at small details than when you’re competing every two or three days because you don’t have the time and opportunity to do so. So I’m always taking everything positive for us.”
‘Pirates players wanted to keep going'
Riveiro, who recently hit 100 games as the Buccaneers coach, insisted players were ready to get going.
“If there’s a break it’s going to be positive for sure. Because we are going to use the time to come back better, obviously when you’re winning every two-three days, you don’t want to stop, I’m not going to lie, you want to keep going, especially the players when they are having fun and with results, you want to continue,” he continued.
“But now with many of them, they have many other commitments with national teams,t they will continue competing and the others will continue to prepare for what’s coming [with Pirates] in a tight schedule in November, December, January, February it’s something else, the next Fifa break is in March.
“Once we start again after this one, we don’t stop anymore so it will be an important part of our preparation in the upcoming months.”
Bucs will continue with their club duties on November 26 with the Caf Champions League outing against CR Belouizdad.
