Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro does not want to be the only one receiving credit for the integration of youngsters into the senior team.
Pirates have been among teams giving youth a chance with Riveiro lauded for it but he says it is a collective effort as the club has set up structures to ensure those coming through the ranks get opportunities.
This is after the elevation of 22-year-old right-back Siyabonga Ndlozi and 19-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi into the senior team following in the footsteps of Relebohile Mofokeng, Thabiso Seasane and Mohau Nkota, who are now established first-team members.
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Ndlozi and Mbokani started in Pirates’ 1-0 win over Chippa United on Wednesday and are expected to feature again against SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday as Pirates look for a place in the semi-final.
“It can be easy for me to take credit but it doesn't belong only to me. Credit should go to the whole club. The club has ambitions, has a plan,” said Riveiro.
“It's not only Riveiro supporting those players. It's not by chance [that he's giving youngsters from the club's development ranks chances]. We are not gambling when we choose the players, we're not experimenting.
Riveiro challenges youngsters to grab chance
“When the boys are ready and good, we try to make them confident. That's probably the most important thing in our role, to make sure that when they go onto the field, they can be themselves because they're ready.”
Riveiro is known for his commitment to young player given his background as a youth coach during the early years of his coaching career in Spain.
The tactician has stayed true to that and been promoting deserving youngsters to the senior team since he took over the Soweto giants in July 2022.
