Orlando Pirates‘ title credentials will be put under massive test on Saturday against defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The result might go a long way in determining whether the Sea Robbers have what it takes to stop Masandawana from winning their eighth PSL crown in a row. Currently, the Soweto giants are trailing the Brazilians, who have played a game more, by six points and there is a danger they could be eight.
Speaking ahead of the game, coach Jose Riveiro insists he has always been under pressure to deliver at the club.
The Spaniard insists he is coaching the champions, thanks to the improved mentality of the players. He has further stated he hopes to go all the way and topple Mamelodi Sundowns from the summit.
The pressure is the same from day one – Riveiro
“It’s the same pressure since day one I arrived here. I’m coaching Pirates, I’m coaching a champion team, I’m coaching a winning team. Everybody is expecting from us to improve the history of the club, to get titles,” he stated.
“We’re trying, we’re having a fantastic beginning, we are in February, but we can still talk about the beginning of the league because we are at game number 13. But at the same time, we are fighting we are fighting with many good teams – one of them is champions over the last seven years.
“So even though we had an excellent beginning of the season, we’re still some points behind but we’re not gonna stop. We’re gonna keep fighting, performing, hopefully having luck every week to get the result.
“Like I said the pressure is the same as from day one, there is nothing different this season. It’s true that the team is giving right now to the people to think more reasons that we could make it, and that’s a bit new but there is nothing different or new in terms of responsibility that we all feel to be part of this team,” Riveiro concluded.
