Riveiro: Stellies Consistently Presents a Challenging Match

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro stated that the journey from Algeria to South Africa for another match right after facing CR Belouizdad did not impact his players either mentally or physically, as they were aware of the schedule well in advance.

The Buccaneers kicked off their group stage campaign in the Champions League on Tuesday against the formidable CR Belouizdad. Fortunately for Riveiro’s team, they returned home with a commendable 2-1 victory, with young talent Mohau Nkota shining through by scoring both goals. This Sunday, they will take on Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium in a league encounter.

Riveiro emphasized the importance of focusing on securing a win in the upcoming match while also performing up to their standards.

“Nothing [affected the players mentally or physically about the travel from Algeria to South Africa for another game right after playing in Algeria],” remarked the Spanish coach.

“We have been aware of the schedule for quite some time and have prepared to handle it. Our focus is strictly on what we can do to achieve our objectives—winning the game and performing at our best.”

“We are meticulously preparing for everything; we don’t waste our time feeling sorry or fatigued. We ensure that by Sunday, we’ll be ready and have the necessary resources to perform well, so it won’t pose a significant challenge for us.”

Conversely, Riveiro thinks that this upcoming match will be a tough one as Stellenbosch consistently provides a challenging encounter.

“They have been a highly competitive team for a considerable time, and their success is no coincidence; it’s a testament to their quality as a cohesive unit,” Riveiro added.

“They experienced changes last season with several key players in their lineup. Nevertheless, they continue to compete at a high level and are representing the country in Africa.

“They can adapt to various situations. Last season and this season, they managed to reach two finals in a row, which speaks volumes about the team’s culture that we will meet, constantly giving us challenges.”

“Recently, we faced them in Orlando, and despite leading 2-0 after 70 minutes, we ended up losing 3-2. That highlights the quality of the opponent we are going to face.”

“We must give them credit for the resources and the style of football they are playing. They are a team that can control possession, defend effectively, and strike quickly on transitions, as well as create opportunities from set pieces,” he went on.

“Their sustained performance is not by chance; they have been strong for some time. They are well-organized and possess the talent to make any game difficult for us.”

This matchup is not a first for the two teams this season. Last month, the Buccaneers emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Stellies in the MTN 8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Monnapule Saleng, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Relebohile Mofokeng, the young player of the season for 2023/24, contributed the three goals that secured victory for the Pirates.