By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro feels they are reaping the fruits of a good pre-season following their inspiring start in the 2024 MTN8.
The Buccaneers beat SuperSport United 3-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday to reach the MTN8 semi-finals.
The match came a few weeks after the Soweto giants returned from their Spain pre-season tour where they played four games.
“This performance was one of the consequences of good preparation. We are ready at the beginning of the season,” Riveiro told the media.
“We are happy to have that extra boost for this first game against an opponent like SuperSport United.
“SuperSport will always test you when it comes to conditioning, in duels, in running, and I think we finished the game in a superior position when it comes to the conditioning department.”
It was a match in which Riveiro did not field any of his new players as arrivals from the current transfer window were not given chances.
“There is a continuation of what we were doing,” the Spaniard said.
“The 20 players we took to that [Nedbank Cup] final are still in the group. There are some recruitments, some people who are new in the team, and they are helping us a lot already.”
While Riveiro is noting positives, it was not the same in the SuperSport camp, where coach Gavin Hunt was red-carded after Pirates’ third goal.
The experienced coach was sent off after remonstrating for what he felt was an offside situation when the Buccaneers scored their goal.
Matsatsantsa assistant coach Andre Arendse also feels they deserved to be given a penalty in the second half.
“It’s difficult to say, it wasn’t so much about the penalty that wasn’t given,” Arendse said.
“It was more about the offside [before] the third goal. From the angle that we were looking at it, it looked like there was clear daylight between the players and [it was] an offside.
“Very difficult for us. Obviously, we need to watch it again to be 100% clear. If it wasn’t offside, I’ll be the first to apologise to the officials.”
Pirates will now wait for the semi-final draw to know their next opponents in this competition.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates attacker Patrick Maswanganyi challenged for possession by SuperSport United’s Pogiso Sanoka.
Source: Orlando Pirates
