‘That’s the lesson we’re learning’: Riveiro

Published on by Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has emphasised building a team culture focused on collective effort to achieve more success in future.

The Buccaneers rdefeated Stellenbosch FC 3-1 to win their third straight MTN8 title, a historic feat in the PSL. 

Riveiro modestly attributed the success to the entire team and emphasised their collective contribution.

RIVEIRO ON WHAT THE TEAM IS TRYING TO BUILD

“We were losing 1-0 and people continued cheering and supporting, they are confident, they know the guys can do it anytime and it's something that we need to appreciate,” Riveiro said on Supersport TV.

“It's the team who wins it for the third time in a row, it's not the coach. We fought, we prayed, we worked, we planned, we travelled, we tried to do our best in every game, that's the minimum we can do when we're representing a club like this one. We have a lot of talent, a lot of everything, so only because of that it is possible.

‘That’s the lesson we’re learning’: Riveiro
Picture by Orlando Pirates

“It's about trusting each other when we're on the field, the people outside, the people analysing the game, I can only understand this business as a collective and I'm trying to play my part to this guys, that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve, they have the capacity to fight.

“That's the lesson we need to learn, these three months have already been intense but at the same time really exceptional in my opinion.”

Having dominated the cup competitions in the past two years, Riveiro added that they want to target more success than that.

‘IT’S THE BEGINNING’

“The guys are making history, today is once again proof that it's the beginning for them, we have an excellent team, young, with a future, they need to push the level high, competing for major things even,” the Spanish coach said.

“Thanks to Stellenbosch, they played an excellent final but I think Pirates were superior tonight, even though we started behind.”

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Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Nkosiyabuya Sithole, a young and rising sports journalist based in Durban, South Africa, harbors a deep passion for football. Nevertheless, he aspires to become a well-rounded journalist, adept in various areas of the field.

Nkosi's career began in 2020, working as a home-based writer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has since written for various websites, including Briefly News, FiND-iT News, and The South African. Attending live sporting events is a particular pleasure for him, as they provide opportunities for interaction with sports personalities.

Outside of the office, he's a God-fearing and affable young man.