‘The team to beat is Sundowns’: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro

Published on by Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has made an honest admission about rivals Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the commencement of the 2024/25 season.

There’s a lot of expectations from the Buccaneers in this campaign especially after they successfully defended their two cups last season – MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.

The number of competitions they will be participating in have also increased with CAF Champions League also on their schedule after they finished in the second position in the DStv Premiership.

Pirates are expected to be strong contenders for the Betway Premiership, having demonstrated their ability to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns on at times.

However, consistency has been a primary challenge for Riveiro's side. Achieving consistency from start to finish is a key focus for everyone at Pirates as they aim to enhance their performance.

While the departure of Rulani Mokwena might impact Sundowns, Riveiro maintains they remain the benchmark in South African football.

He admitted that they measure their success against the Tshwane giants who won DStv Premiership and African Football League last season.

JOSE RIVEIRO’S ADMISSION ABOUT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

“The team to beat is Sundowns, they are the current champions and we are all wishing to be there,” said Riveiro.

“They are the ones everyone wants to beat. We must be humble, the level of the task is not easy.

“Our ambition is to compete in every game, for every trophy. In the cups we have been competitive in every game, that is why we have played now in the last four finals of the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.

“Our ambition is to manage to be competitive in every game in the league, but right now we are busy with the MTN8 and we have to focus on this next knockout game.”

Pirates will start their quest for a third consecutive MTN8 trophy when they host SuperSport United in the quarterfinal on Saturday, 3 August at Orlando Stadium at 6pm.

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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.