Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed what Monnapule Saleng needs to do after his brace against Mamelodi Sundowns and opened up on the mood ahead of the Soweto Derby.
The Buccaneers will face their bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs in next week’s derby in the DStv Premiership and enter the game on the back of a superb display, eliminating Sundowns from the MTN8 after beating them 3-0 in the second leg at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Riveiro insisted the result will give them a mental boost ahead of the derby after their previous trip to Polokwane didn’t go so well.
“It’s nice to win and face the next game with a win, obviously three points or possibility to go through in a competition like this is very welcome for the mental side or for our mood to now step on the bus before traveling for or five hours before going to training in Joburg tomorrow,” he said after the match.
“Losing or winning, with just twenty days ago we had a bad night here against Sekhukhune so I think he trips tonight will be much better. So obviously it’s something very positive.”
Riveiro also insisted he doesn’t like to speak about individual performances, even after Saleng’s brace, but insisted the in-form winger and the rest of the squad need to remain humble.
“About the players, I don’t like to individualise, they are part of one structure, they have different responsibilities. I will never highlight or put the spotlight on one player, there are players who are more attractive to the fans of course,” he explained.
“Especially the ones who are on [scoring] charts. But the progression of [Saleng] it’s there, you can see by the way he is coming you know week after week.
“Now the key after this is to stay humble and understand it’s just one game that gives us the right to be in one final and that’s it, tomorrow we start again. All of them, the best [players who played] today and the ones who didn’t play, so we go together.”
Pirates face Chiefs in next week’s derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 29 October at 15:30.
