Orlando Pirates coach is impressed with what the Soweto giants have done to reach the semi-final of the Caf Champions League.
Last weekend, the Buccaneers played Pyramids in the first leg of the last four at the Orlando Stadium, but it ended goalless. The second meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 25, in Egypt, whereby Bucs need a scoring draw or a win of any kind to reach their first final for the first time since 2013.
Riveiro, who is set to leave at the end of the season, has lauded some key players like Sipho Chiane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi for the 0-0 result in the last meeting.
‘We are not perfect but we aren't going to change'
“I'm so proud of them; it's not easy to find yourself in the semifinal of this competition and trying to play the football we try to play all the time, under pressure and with a team that came here to also try to play, to press us and give us problems in our build-up,” he told the media.
“And Chaine, the centrebacks, our midfielders were brave enough to find multiple situations of advantage, and during that process, it’s normal that sometimes you will make one or two mistakes. We're not perfect, we don't even pretend to be perfect and we're not going to change.
“We believe in what we're doing, we're getting good results and good performances in the way we play football. Sometimes we need to be more conservative and we managed to be and to have that role also, especially in this competition, and that’s what we do. I think most people identify with the type of football we've played this season and it's not going to change now,” he continued.
‘Mistakes are part of the game for youngsters'
The 19-year-old Mbokazi, alongside Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota, who are 20 years old, have been phenomenal for the club.
“There’s no doubt it’s good for them [the young players] as individuals and good for Pirates as a football club. It’s good for the national team too. So far, the boys are doing so well, they are performing in any kind of game week in, week out.
“Mistakes are part of the game; everybody makes them, the senior ones and younger ones. What we have to do as a team is back each other up, and that is when those mistakes happen, the senior players play an important role for the youngsters. Together we manage to be a brave team in every competition, and it will be like that to the end,” he concluded.
Bucs are also in the Nedbank Cup final, where they will play Kaizer Chiefs, as well as in the race for the Premier Soccer League.
