Title chasing Orlando Pirates can't afford to falter going forwards, insists Jose Riveiro

Jose Riveiro was honest personified after Orlando Pirates’ draw with Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.

Riveiro initially conceded in the post-match presser that they didn’t make enough strides in their title aspirations as they dropped two vital points.

And he was right. Pirates visited Stellies to a stalemate which saw them remain second on the log with 40 points, 18 adrift of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates could trim that gap to just six points if they win all their four games in hand which happened due to various postponements.

But with the rescheduling of those matches yet to be confirmed, Pirates must do their bit in ensuring undowns drop points going into the last games of the season.

The Sea Robbers can cut the wires in the Brazilians’ unstoppable train by beating them when the two teams square off at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm kick-off).

That win could prove to be vital for the Sea Robbers especially after Riveiro acknowledged that their title aspirations took a huge knock in the Mother City.

“We have to give value to the point – even though we are in a different race trying to collect three points everywhere we go,” Riveiro said.

“In a normal context, you’d say collecting points here is fine but in our league, it’s obviously not the best result for us.”

It wasn’t the best result for Riveiro as an individual. The Spaniard failed to also cap off his 120th game in charge of the Sea Robbers’ team with a win.

That milestone had ensured that he’s the highest longest serving Pirates’ coach in the PSL era, surpassing the record held by Ruud Krol.

And that’s why in his second admission, Riveiro somewhat conceded that he still has nothing to show for his 120 games in charge of the team after failing to win the league, despite bagging five trophies.

“It’s been a long run, obviously. It’s just a number, but obviously when you have locked that number, you know how much dedication, time and sacrifices (you put in),” Riveiro said.

“I am not going to say I am proud of myself because I am not doing this alone. For coaches in our position to stay in a club for 120 games … it looks normal, but it’s not.

“I must also thank the management of the club for being patient with me and the coaching staff, allowing us to keep growing yearly as a team and group and pushing the project forward.

“Probably now, I can’t give the real value and meaning of these 120 games. But yeah, let’s hope for more.”

Sure, Riveiro couldn’t deliver the title in his 120 games at Pirates, but he’s sure put the club’s investments in youngsters into good use.

Relebohile Mofokeng has been Pirates’ jewel in the last two seasons, whereas Mohau Nkota and Siyabonga Ndlozi joined the frail early this season.

However, it’s been centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the latest recruit from the youth structures, that has entered the big stage and impressed of late.

Riveiro, though, has called on the masses to give the 19-year-old, who was called up to the Under-20 Afcon squad, time to settle in the top-flight.

“I don’t like to talk much about individual performances when the players are doing well, and are not doing well – that’s the point,” Riveiro reiterated.

“But I know that the boy is attracting a lot of attention because he’s the new kid on the block – he’s performing well and giving us some good things. But we must be patient with him.

“He’s just starting his career in professional football, and there’s going to be ups and downs. But in the earlier stages, he’s doing well.

“But all of us – the club, fans and everyone – we need to be patient with him. He’s, however, going to be an interesting prospect for the future, for sure.”