Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is happy with the unity the club showed in their last game against Marumo Gallants.
Bucs won the match 8-1 with Boitumelo Radiopane scoring the last goal from the penalty spot. The whole squad celebrated with the attacker, quashing initial rumours that the team did not have unity.
The 22-year-old has not had it easy since his promotion to the senior team owing to competition and injuries. But Riveiro is convinced the attacker will eventually prove his worth for the Buccaneers.
It is difficult for Radiopane against Bafana Bafana International
“The human level of the group this season is something else, to be honest, they make us feel proud almost every day with things I cannot say publically, that belongs to the privacy of the team,” the Spaniard told the media.
“It was public [against Gallants], it was obvious to see how much they care about each other, knowing that the competition for the team, for players like Radiopane for example, it’s terrible, he’s competing with a Bafana Bafana striker a the top scorer of last season.
“It’s difficult to get minutes in a team that plays with one number nine so far, but the way he works every day, the dedication, the professionalism, the good soul that he is, you could see everyone was happy to see Radio on the field and have an opportunity to score and get confidence.”
Riveiro delighted with the return of key players from injury
In the win against Gallants, Tapelo Xoki Azola Tshobeni and Gilberto were given some minutes. Xoki and Tshobeni have been out due to injuries with Gilberto taking time to settle. Bucs have seven games between now and February 1, and Riveiro has underlined the importance of having depth.
“We need everybody, we’re going into a very congested period of games, in January, and February, it’s nice to see Tapelo back also, making the first minutes after a long time out of the field,” he continued.
“Azola Tshobeni also coming on and getting some minutes, Gibele [Gilberto], also showing little by little the player he can be for the team as well, so a lot of good news around the result. It’s important [the result] but the small details around the 90 minutes there are many positives.”
Pirates play newbies Magesi on Sunday in their next league outing.
