Team worked through festive season, says Jose Riveiro
06 January 2025 - 14:32
by Sihle Ndebele
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates and Kouakou Amoro Junior Mansou of Stade d'Abidjan during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Stade d'Abidjan at Orlando Stadium, Soweto. Picture: VELI NHLAPO
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has lauded his troops for sacrificing festive fun to work towards the team’s ambitions. This was after the Buccaneers trounced Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 to top their CAF Champions League Group C at the weekend.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto netted the goals against the Ivorian side at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. It was one of Pirates’ fine performances this festive season, having also demolished Marumo Gallants 8-1 in the league on Christmas Eve.
“It’s about ambitions, it’s about dedication, it’s about commitment. We went through a difficult month but you have to show that you are still a professional football player at the time that everybody is having festive days, having parties and fun,'' Riveiro said.
It's about ambitions, it's about dedication, it's about commitment. We went through a difficult month but you have to show that you are still a professional football player at the time that everybody is having festive days, having parties and fun.
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro
“This group continued working every day [of the festive season] because we are committed to achieve our goals and that won’t change now we’re temporarily, at least until the next fixture, hopefully until the end, leading the group.”
Pirates’ next Champions League fixture is against Algerian side CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. But their immediate focus is the trip to Cape Town City for a Premier Soccer League fixture on Wednesday.
The Sea Robbers lead Champions League's Group C with eight points, one behind Al Ahly after four games.
Riveiro was also proud that they finished the game against Stade d’Abidjan with five of the club's development graduates in Mofokeng, Thabiso Sesane, Boitumelo Radiopane, Thabiso Monyane and Azola Tshobeni. Mofokeng and Sesane started the game while Radiopane, Monyane and Tshobeni were introduced in the second half.
“We are learning, like I said many times ... again today [on Saturday], we finished the game with five players from our DDC team but they are accumulating these experiences in order to understand what it takes to play at this level, to compete at this level, to challenge the clubs that we are challenging right now in the group,'' the Pirates coach said.
Riveiro added they were feeling good to be top of the group, saying they worked for it. “It’s something nice and it’s something to feel proud of and we are proud because we are working for it ... nobody is giving us anything for free.''
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Pirates coach praises ‘dedicated’ troops
Team worked through festive season, says Jose Riveiro
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has lauded his troops for sacrificing festive fun to work towards the team’s ambitions. This was after the Buccaneers trounced Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 to top their CAF Champions League Group C at the weekend.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto netted the goals against the Ivorian side at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. It was one of Pirates’ fine performances this festive season, having also demolished Marumo Gallants 8-1 in the league on Christmas Eve.
“It’s about ambitions, it’s about dedication, it’s about commitment. We went through a difficult month but you have to show that you are still a professional football player at the time that everybody is having festive days, having parties and fun,'' Riveiro said.
“This group continued working every day [of the festive season] because we are committed to achieve our goals and that won’t change now we’re temporarily, at least until the next fixture, hopefully until the end, leading the group.”
Pirates’ next Champions League fixture is against Algerian side CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. But their immediate focus is the trip to Cape Town City for a Premier Soccer League fixture on Wednesday.
The Sea Robbers lead Champions League's Group C with eight points, one behind Al Ahly after four games.
Riveiro was also proud that they finished the game against Stade d’Abidjan with five of the club's development graduates in Mofokeng, Thabiso Sesane, Boitumelo Radiopane, Thabiso Monyane and Azola Tshobeni. Mofokeng and Sesane started the game while Radiopane, Monyane and Tshobeni were introduced in the second half.
“We are learning, like I said many times ... again today [on Saturday], we finished the game with five players from our DDC team but they are accumulating these experiences in order to understand what it takes to play at this level, to compete at this level, to challenge the clubs that we are challenging right now in the group,'' the Pirates coach said.
Riveiro added they were feeling good to be top of the group, saying they worked for it. “It’s something nice and it’s something to feel proud of and we are proud because we are working for it ... nobody is giving us anything for free.''
Nabi won’t abandon players in bid to strengthen Chiefs
Diallo equaliser lifts Man U in draw at Liverpool
Ertugral returns to give Chiefs losing start to 2025
Fulham’s Jimenez make Ipswich pay the penalty
Sundowns regroup after Raja Casablanca loss
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Nabi won’t abandon players in bid to strengthen Chiefs
Diallo equaliser lifts Man U in draw at Liverpool
Ertugral returns to give Chiefs losing start to 2025
Fulham’s Jimenez make Ipswich pay the penalty
Sundowns regroup after Raja Casablanca loss
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.