Packed stadium suggests Orlando Pirates on the right track, says Jose Riveiro

Published on by Joel Oliver, updated on

The Bucs coach feels the massive support enjoyed on Saturday is evidence of his good work

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riviero believes his team is doing things right and that is why the fans are streaming back to the stadium.

Pirates played in front of a packed Orlando Stadium on Saturday when they beat SuperSport United 3-1 to claim a semi-final spot in the MTN8 and their coach feels it was testament to the good job his team is doing at the moment.

The stadium was nearly sold out for the cup match, a rare sight in recent years, Pushing the Buccaneers to victory over Matsatsantsa even if they needed extra time to get over the line.

“You’re right [the fans pushed us at Orlando Stadium], it’s fantastic to play our first game at home, I don’t know if it was sold out, probably close, which is not frequent here in Orlando, funny enough,” said Riveiro.

‘I didn’t feel any pressure even with the SuperSport goal’

“It says something about what the fans are feeling right now for these boys, and then the role they played during the game was crucial. I didn’t feel any pressure even with the SuperSport goal, the people were patient with us, which is important, especially for the young ones to feel that they are behind us in difficult moments.

“It gives us an extra boost, and like I used to say from the first day, it’s nice to have them around, play the game together, it’s definitely an extra advantage that not every team in this league or in this tournament will have, it’s good news for us.”

Pirates had Monnapule Saleng to thank for their win as the winger set up defender Olisa Ndah for the opening goal but former Bucs man Vincent Pule levelled matters after connecting well with Bradley Grobler’s headed pass and the two teams were not separated in regulation time.

Bucs fans will be expecting another trophy next season

Extra time was needed to decide the tie and Pirates came up trumps when Kabelo Dlamini set up Saleng to hammer home the second.

Saleng then had a hand in the third goal. The winger was through on goal when SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss came off his line to close him down but the ball fell to substitute Evidence Makgopa who slotted in an empty goal for 3-1.

Riveiro will hope that his charges can maintain the impressive run even in the PSL to keep attracting fans to the stadium with supporters expecting another trophy next season.

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.