How lessons learned from previous derby losses helped Pirates beat Chiefs

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes it was a change in mentality that helped the Buccaneers finally beat Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semifinal at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

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The Buccaneers met up with Amakhosi for the third time this season, having lost twice to their rivals in the DStv Premiership.

Pirates, this time around, edged the Glamour Boys of Naturena 2-1 after extra time at FNB Stadium.

Sandile Mthethwa scored the winning goal for Pirates in extra- time, after the teams were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

The win against Chiefs gives Pirates a chance for a second piece of silverware this season, after they already won the MTN8.

The Buccaners will take on Sekhukhune United in the final at Loftus Stadium on 27 May.

“Our obligation is to learn from these games and now it’s easy to say that (we learned) because we’ve won this game.

“We did the things we wanted to in the rhythm that we wanted. You could say we did better things than we did in the previous games,” said Riveiro.

“Our mental approach to this game was different to the other games because I think for the previous derbies, we weren’t in a good space.”

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Pirates are still also chasing a spot in next season’s Caf Champions League, currently in position to get there as runners-up in the DStv Premiership to Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers are currently two points ahead of third-placed SuperSport United with two league games left to play in the campaign.

Riveiro believes playing every two days this season will prepare them for the continental tournament.
“The next season, hopefully is going to be more busy.

“That’s the mentality that we need. We need to be ready to play every two or three days when the schedule is asking for that,” said Riveiro.

“It’s obviously not just playing but playing to win every two or three days. Thats our mandate.”

Pirates’ penultimate league game is, ironically, also a warm-up for the Nedbank Cup final when they host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, then travel to AmaZulu on 20 May for their final league game.