Buccaneers chief hopes to defend Nedbank Cup

Orlando Pirates’ chief mentor José Riveiro is not in a panic mood as he crosses his arms in typical buccaneer style and confidently hopes his side will go all the way in the defence of one of the most lucrative soccer trophies in the DStv Premiership.
This was the message from the Spanish chief mentor of one of the oldest soccer clubs in the country when he addressed a packed media press conference at the Nedbank Cup Ya Rona House in Parktown as he prepares to take on minnows Hungry Lion FC on Saturday (March 16) evening at the Orlando Stadium.
Buoyed by last week’s display against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs as his side came back twice from behind to win the Soweto derby 3–2, Riveiro said, “I am not in a panic mood at all but I cross my arms that we go all the way in defence of this cup.
“If my players can display the same hunger, determination and tactical awareness in the field of play as they did in the Soweto derby, I am confident we are home and dry in our ambition to defend this trophy.”
Riveiro takes little-known Hungry Lions in the last 16 round of the cup, an outfit that plies its trade in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. “Look, they are a relatively unknown side to us but we have done our homework against them and hope that will be enough to see us cruise through.”
SuperSport United’s assistant coach André Arendse, standing in for head coach Gavin Hunt, said although the trophy has eluded his side for many years, this time they are determined to make amends when they clash with Richards Bay FC, a side he now regards as their nemesis.
“Each time we meet them, they seem to have a spring in their game and always get the better of us and I hope history does not repeat itself this time around but it will not be an easy game,” said the former Bafana Bafana goalminder.

He said Hunt had head-hunted and infused several exciting young players with a lot of spring in their steps from the club’s academy and we hope they will do the job for us against the KZN bay side.
Runner-away premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns will entertain last season’s relegated Maritzburg United side at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening (March 17).
Astute coach Rulani Mokwena, whose side remains unbeaten in 18 games of the league, was cautious though about his opponents. “They are a former premiership side and they know all the ins and outs of this league and its cup competitions, including ourselves and that alone tells you it’s going to be a tough but exciting match.”
Mokwena said the difficulty of the encounter was that people now look forward to ‘Masandawana’ to win everything. “Game legend Jomo Sono of Jomo Cosmos FC, a family relative, always tells me when we draw that my biggest mistake is to replace [Themba] Zwane.
“I seriously agree with him. It will take the club and country a long time to find another Zwane when he finally bows out of the game. He’s an exceptional player, highly skilled and talented.”

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