Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has responded to claims that the Buccaneers are “cup specialists” after scooping three cups in a space of 12 months.
Pirates have won all domestic cups they’ve played in since Riveiro arrived at the club.
The Spaniard won his first trophy at the beginning of last season, when they beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Eight months down the line they were crowned Nedbank Cup champions after beating Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium 2-1 in the final.
Riveiro completed his hat-trick of trophies this past weekend when Pirates came victorious against Mamelodi Sundowns in this year’s MTN8 final, beating them 3-1 on penalties.
With a 100% record in SA cup finals, and also just one defeat in 13 games across the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, Riveiro has developed somewhat of a reputation as “cup specialist”.
With the Carling Knockout Cup next in line and based on their recent cup exploits, the Spaniard dismissed suggestions that his team are now the “favourites” for the new competition.
“No, not at all,” he replied when asked whether the Sea Robbers are now “hunted” by the other clubs.
“Like I said, [we think] game by game, competition by competition. We start a new one, everybody has the same probability [chance],”
“It is about application, it is about concentration, it is about the one who wanted more is going to make it. So we want to beat that team again.
“But again, game by game. We start with Cape Town Spurs and all of our energies is that it’s not about what are the others are thinking about us or who is hunting who.
“So it is a good narrative for you guys [media], but for us it is nothing different.”
