Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has admitted that it will be difficult for him to choose the team for the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday after they demolished AmaZulu 4-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium this past weekend.
Pirates will face Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup final at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, looking to claim the second silverware this season.
But amuch-changed side at 2010 World Cup semi final venue proved too hot to handle by Usuthu, with Monnapule Saleng involved in three goals in the first half, setting up the first two for Thabiso Monyane and Relebohile Ratomo before getting on the act himself.
It was Saleng’s 11th league goal of the season, one shy behind both golden shoe winners – Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile and Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo.
Kabelo Dlamini added the fourth later in the second half as the Soweto giants completely overwhelmed Usuthu, who have not defeated Pirates in Durban in 14 years.
“I’m happy to have everyone ready to play and obviously we are going to the final and that is going to be a difficult task for me on who is going to start or be part of the 20 team as usual,” said Riveiro.
“Because I have a fantastic squad, full of talent, like I have been saying a thousand times this season already.”
The Vigo-born coach, who arrived with little fanfare at the beginning of the season, has already won the MTN8 trophy in November last year, beating AmaZulu in the final at the Durban venue.
He said it was crucial that they go to the Ke Yona Cup final game with a wind in their sails as Sekhukhune will be a difficult side to break down., having drawn them a few weeks ago at home.
Pirates are looking to win the Ke Yona Cup for the first time since 2014.
“The task was important for us to apply ourselves at our best level and that is what happened,” said Riveiro.
“We are playing for a very important trophy. We didn’t want to take chances and we had two opportunities at Orlando in front – Royal AM and Sekhukhune and we didn’t get the results.”
