Pirates’ Riveiro targets Carling Knockout to add to MTN8

Following the draw for the first edition of the Carling Black Label Knockout, newly crowned MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says the new competition will be about who wants it most.

The Carling Black Label Knockout was launched this week, with all 16 DStv Premiership sides set to compete for the title.

With the Buccaneers having won the first trophy of the season by beating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties last weekend, Riveiro believes his side will have to put all their focus on doing well, with the Soweto side having been drawn against Cape Town Spurs in the first round of the tournament.

“We start a new one (tournament). It will be about application, concentration and it’s about who wants it more. We will make it, we want to be that team again,” said the Bucs coach.

“All our energy is on Cape Town Spurs, it’s not about what others are thinking. Who is hunting who. It’s a good narrative for you guys, but for us it’s nothing different.”

The Bucs coach added that the mood in the Pirates camp is high, having claimed their third successive trophy, after already winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup last season.

“Football is about the last game you played. Right now we are in good space obviously. I’m not going to lie, after winning one more trophy, with the level of opposition (Downs) on Saturday, it was an epic victory for us. It’s gonna be a boost, but we have to put our minds on the next one,” he added.

Favourites

Pirates, especially given their recent knockout record, will be one of the favourites to win the tournament, but Riveiro says it doesn’t change how they always approach every game.

“If you ask me, usually we are Orlando Pirates. If you guys want to see us as favourites then we accept it. It doesn’t change our approach to the games, because we always go with the mentality and intention to win the game. This competition is not an exception, it’s a knock-out game, everyone has the same probability (of winning).”

The new tournament is expected to start later this month.