‘An emotional moment’: Pirates coach Riveiro on screaming after Mbatha screamer
Trainer’s reaction says much about the stakes as charged-up Bucs reach Champions League quarters
13 January 2025 - 18:30
by Marc Strydom
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.
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro celebrates victory after his team's Caf Champions League group C win against CR Belouizdad on Sunday. Picture: BACKPAGEPIX/GAVIN BARKER
José Riveiro is not known for expressing his emotions often, so his charged-up response to midfielder Thalente Mbatha’s long-range rocket in Orlando Pirates’ win against CR Belouizdad seemed to show the magnitude of the moment.
The Buccaneers’ fired-up 2-1 Caf Champions League win saw Riveiro’s team clinch their first progression past the group stage since reaching the 2013 final with a match to spare.
Bucs have 11 points before Saturday’s group C closing game against Al Ahly (10 points) in Cairo that will decide the group winners.
After Relebohile Mofokeng’s smartly taken 20th-minute opener against Algerian outfit Belouizdad at a packed Orlando Stadium, Bucs had to wait until the 61st for Mbatha to deliver the second with what is becoming a trademark screamer from the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
Jose Riveiro's reaction to Thalente Mbatha's goal says it ALL 🗣️
In a sign of the relief the second goal brought, Riveiro pumped his arms in celebration and screamed at the fans directly behind him.
Asked about it after the game, the coach said if there was a hint of anger in the emotional moment it was in reaction to some in the crowd getting on Mbatha’s back moments earlier.
“It’s a normal reaction during a game,” the coach said, back to his deadpan self in the postmatch media conference.
“There was a moment where Thalente lost a few balls and the atmosphere changed a bit and we cannot afford to do that [the crowd turning on players].
“It’s an emotional reaction because the players are human, they have feelings. It’s important they feel they are playing at home every minute, not only when they are scoring or when we are playing nicely.
🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 🏆
⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: What a strike by Thalente Mbatha to double The Buccaneers' lead!
“Sometimes we have to understand it’s not easy. We have an opponent facing us, they also want to win, and this is a tough competition.
“So we need to capitalise on what not every team has, which is our fan base. So, again it’s a moment of the game that maybe I shouldn’t [react].
“It’s an emotional moment but I think we are fine. It’s OK. The fans played a big role again, coming in numbers and we are trying to play for them all the time.”
The result completed a double for Pirates against the Algerian club whom the Soweto giants beat by the same scoreline in their opening game on November 26.
The Buccaneers then drew at home against Al Ahly and in Ivory Coast against Stade d’Abidjan, beat Stade 3-0 at home on January 4 before Saturday’s win against Belouizdad.
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.
‘An emotional moment’: Pirates coach Riveiro on screaming after Mbatha screamer
Trainer’s reaction says much about the stakes as charged-up Bucs reach Champions League quarters
José Riveiro is not known for expressing his emotions often, so his charged-up response to midfielder Thalente Mbatha’s long-range rocket in Orlando Pirates’ win against CR Belouizdad seemed to show the magnitude of the moment.
The Buccaneers’ fired-up 2-1 Caf Champions League win saw Riveiro’s team clinch their first progression past the group stage since reaching the 2013 final with a match to spare.
Bucs have 11 points before Saturday’s group C closing game against Al Ahly (10 points) in Cairo that will decide the group winners.
After Relebohile Mofokeng’s smartly taken 20th-minute opener against Algerian outfit Belouizdad at a packed Orlando Stadium, Bucs had to wait until the 61st for Mbatha to deliver the second with what is becoming a trademark screamer from the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
In a sign of the relief the second goal brought, Riveiro pumped his arms in celebration and screamed at the fans directly behind him.
Asked about it after the game, the coach said if there was a hint of anger in the emotional moment it was in reaction to some in the crowd getting on Mbatha’s back moments earlier.
“It’s a normal reaction during a game,” the coach said, back to his deadpan self in the postmatch media conference.
“There was a moment where Thalente lost a few balls and the atmosphere changed a bit and we cannot afford to do that [the crowd turning on players].
“It’s an emotional reaction because the players are human, they have feelings. It’s important they feel they are playing at home every minute, not only when they are scoring or when we are playing nicely.
“Sometimes we have to understand it’s not easy. We have an opponent facing us, they also want to win, and this is a tough competition.
“So we need to capitalise on what not every team has, which is our fan base. So, again it’s a moment of the game that maybe I shouldn’t [react].
“It’s an emotional moment but I think we are fine. It’s OK. The fans played a big role again, coming in numbers and we are trying to play for them all the time.”
The result completed a double for Pirates against the Algerian club whom the Soweto giants beat by the same scoreline in their opening game on November 26.
The Buccaneers then drew at home against Al Ahly and in Ivory Coast against Stade d’Abidjan, beat Stade 3-0 at home on January 4 before Saturday’s win against Belouizdad.
Chiefs squander chances as they suffer another loss
Bucs book CAF last-eight spot with a match to spare
Everton sack manager Dyche ahead of FA Cup match
Legal defeat could trump Man City’s on-field woes
Amaklosi coach happy, but wants a lot more
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
Ten-man Man United knock out Arsenal in FA Cup tie
Chiefs squander chances as they suffer another loss
Bucs book CAF last-eight spot with a match to spare
Everton sack manager Dyche ahead of FA Cup match
Legal defeat could trump Man City’s on-field woes
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.