Orlando Pirates are set to continue their quest for the third Nedbank Cup title in a row when they play SuperSport United in the quarter-final on Saturday.
This will be the third time the two teams are meeting in the ongoing season. The first one was in the MTN8 where Bucs needed extra time to score two late goals and ensure the game ended 3-1 in their favour. They then followed it up with a 2-0 win in the Premier Soccer league, but this weekend's outing is arguably the most important.
It will keep Bucs in the race for their third consecutive Nedbank crown, at the same time give hope to the Swanky Boys who have been struggling in the league and are currently just two positions above the relegation zone.
‘It is promising to be a very good game'
The Sea Robbers coach Jose Riveiro is anticipating a tough fixture since one of the teams has to get into the semi-final.
“It’s good to be in the quarterfinals of this competition for the third time in a row. We’re trying to be ready knowing that it’s going to be a tough game. First of all, because of the place where the game it’s going to be played. Secondly because of the opponents that we’re going to face this time around,” the Spaniard stated.
“It’s a knockout game and there are only two possible results there. Therefore, the intention is clear from both teams and that is to be the better team and to go through to the semifinals. Looking at all these things that I have mentioned, it’s promising to be a very good game.”
‘Results are the most important'
Bucs, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, have played a lot of games both domestically and abroad which has taken a toll on players.
Riveiro has hinted he will not be so keen on the style of play, but the most important is the result against the Swanky Boys.
“Like I said many times before, the scheduling [of games] is getting to a point when you don’t really have time to train anymore. The time you spend on the field with the players once the competition starts, is not enough to satisfy us as coaches.
“Results are important at the moment and we’re regularly winning games and that helps a lot for the players to be ready for the next one. It’s so difficult to go through this schedule if you’re not getting good results,” he concluded.
