Riveiro On Lorch, Monyane Injuries & Eva Nga Criticism

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has given an update on the injuries of Thembinkosi Lorch and Thabiso Monyane, while also addressing the criticism of striker Bienvenu Eva Nga.

The Buccaneers struggled to break down a resilient SuperSport United, collecting a goalless draw at the Lucas Masterpiece Moripe Stadium.

Pirates missed Lorch in the game, while Monyane had to be taken off at half-time, with Riveiro explaining it’s too early for him to know the extend of their injuries.

“It’s too early, both are knocks,” he said after the match.

“I hope it’s nothing really serious, but today there participation was really compromised.

“We tried with Thabiso to start after half-time but he couldn’t continue. Lorch got a hit in the box, I don’t know what happened but I saw him really, really painful but hopefully it’s just a minor things.”

Riveiro also addressed the criticism of striker Eva Nga, who has cut an isolated figure at times in his first few games for the Sea Robbers.

“Our strikers, we have five in the squad, they must do a lot of things in the games,” he explained.

“We are asking them to do a lot of things, in attack and in defence. When we lose the ball and when we recover the ball.

“We cannot just evaluate our striker on the amount of goals that they score, because they are doing much more things also. When our number 10s can get the ball free and they can shine, it’s because there are a lot of things happening around.

“The role of our No.9, who is playing alone upfront, usually dealing with two centre-backs, today 30 minutes with three centre-backs and keeping them far from our [goal], there is a lot of things they are doing.

“I know that, of course, they are the first ones who want to finish the season with a good number of goals, it’s not a discussion.

“Also, they are professional football players and they have to deal with whatever happens around, it’s a must. It’s the nature of our job. We cannot be affected from the supporters or the supporters of the opponents, whatever they are saying.

“It’s in our salary, we have to deal with it. If I put myself in their boots, motivation to show sooner or later that they have the capacity to satisfy them and make them happy. In the end that’s what they want, celebrate goals.”

Pirates  will now face unbeaten Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday.

📍 #DStvPrem log after round 4.

AmaZulu, Galaxy, Stellies and Gallants remain unbeaten…#babizebonke | #MyPerfectMatchDayExperience pic.twitter.com/Xtu2vAmtPo

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) August 21, 2022