Pirates’ Riveiro upbeat ahead of ‘difficult’ Stellies date – ‘We’ll try to be at our best one more time’

Orlando Pirates are set for another Premier Soccer League hurdle on Tuesday night against Stellenbosch at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town City.

The Sea Robbers are desperate for maximum points to sustain their challenge against the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns while Stellies are hoping to get a win to keep alive their chances of playing in the Caf Champions League next season.

Prior to the midweek assignment, second-placed the Sea Robbers, who have four games at hand, are 16 points behind leaders Masandawana who have 55 points from 21 assignments while Stellies are third with 31 points from 19 matches.

Coach Jose Riveiro has not beaten Stellenbosch away since taking over the reins at Pirates in the 2022/23 season. He started with a one-all draw before falling by a solitary goal in the second meeting in the 2023/24 edition.

‘Stellies have excellent players and a really good coaching staff’

The only time the Buccaneers have beaten Stellies away was in the 2023 MTN8 semi-final outing that ended 2-1 in their favour. The Spaniard has explained why it will not be a walk in the park against them on Tuesday.

“Tough opponents again…another game away from home. We have a busy month on the road. I think during my term here, we haven’t managed to beat Stellenbosch in the league in Cape Town, we have beaten them once in the MTN8,” he stated.

“We know that they’re a difficult team to play against, excellent players and a really good coaching staff. We know it’s going to be a tough one physically and tactically but we will try to be at our best one more time.”

Stellies hope to bounce back from their controversial Nedbank Cup quarter-final loss against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend at the FNB Stadium.