Riveiro Makes Bold CAFCL Statement Citing Sundowns

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro feels they have the capabilities to compete for the CAF Champions League next season alongside Mamelodi Sundowns.

After scooping a domestic cup double with the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup title and leading Pirates back to the Champions League for the first time since 2019, the Spaniard is suggesting the sky is the limit for the club after a solid debut season.

Having seen the impressive displays amongst Africa’s elite from Masandawana this past season, he feels the Buccaneers will be able to compete at that level.

“What are we going to do in Africa, dream…dream and we have the potential to go all the way, I’m a very optimistic person, I told you guys many times, don’t get me wrong with my face, I’m very optimistic,” Riveiro said.

“So when I start a tournament, I’m going with the intention to go all the way. Then let’s see, we’re going to find difficult trips, difficult opponents, difficult decisions from the referees, it’s a difficult competition, it is.

“But Sundowns did a fantastic job this season, they showed it’s possible for South African teams to compete until the last stages, so why not? We go little by little, we all start from zero again in every competition and we will face everyone with the intention to compete.”

Pirates won the Champions League in 1995 and finished as runners-up in 2013 as well as two second-placed finishes in the Confederation Cup in 2015 and 2022 respectively.