Riveiro backs Pirates to bounce back against Stellies and reach MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates might be coming off two defeats, but head coach Jose Riveiro is confident his charges have what it takes to go through to the MTN8 final when they meet Stellenbosch FC in the second leg of the semifinal at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Riveiro’s side lead 2-1 after the first leg at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

Since then, however, the Buccaneers lost 1-0 to Jwaneng Galaxy in the first leg of their Caf Champions League group stage qualifier in Gaborone, and by the same scoreline to Mamelodi Sundowns in a midweek DStv Premiership match.

The Pirates coach admits knockout matches take on a slightly different feel to league games.

“The approach for the knockout games is pretty much different. Be it one leg or two legs, there are different details,” said the Bucs mentor.

Riveiro the cup king

Pirates have had an excellent cup record under Riveiro, winning last season’s MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.

“We have been very competitive in these types of games. The difference between cup games and league games is clear … there is nothing else after Sunday for one of the two teams.”

Riveiro knows this is a do-or-die match for his team, but he is not going to think about the games they lost against Jwaneng and Sundowns.

“We will go forward or go home. That’s the thing that changes approaches, it changes everything. Stellenbosch are not coming to Orlando for points, but to try and get to the final,” said Riveiro, emphasising that they will try not to make the same mistakes they did against Downs.

“Obviously, we can all make mistakes in the business. If I say I don’t make mistakes I will sound stupid. That’s not the case, trust me. So, we try to minimise the mistakes in the decisions that we make and the way that we plan, knowing that football is still a game of mistakes. We play with our feet and not our hands, so it’s difficult to be precise.”