Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro sounds like the club coach in Africa who does not fear to face the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns.
JOSE RIVEIRO AFTER ORLANDO PIRATES BEAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS ON SUNDAY
Following February 4-1 loss to Sunday and Sunday’s 2-1 win over the same team, Orlando Pirates stand the chance to face the champions in the CAF Champions League later this season. According to Riveiro, battling Sundowns is gruelling but also a welcome test for his players. “Sundowns is not a joke … they’re setting the bar high every season and this season is no different,” Riveiro said via Sowetan.
“The amount of points they have at this stage of the season is something probably unique and every time we have an opportunity to play against teams such as Sundowns in our league, it’s an opportunity to get better because it’s a challenge, it’s difficult to control the game against them as we do in other games.
“Hopefully this is not the last time that we meet this season, we still have the opportunity to meet again in two competitions and if that happens, it’s going to be really good news for SA football. So I am happy with the development of the team today for our young players … imagine what this type of game means to Mbokazi, Nkotha, Rele and Radiopane … it’s so good. There’s a lot of positive components in this game,” the Orlando Pirates trainer concluded.
In the meantime, both clubs will return from the current FIFA break to focus on the CAF Champions League quarterfinal first legs. The Buccaneers will travel to Algeria to battle MC Alger, while Masandawana will host Esperance in Tshwane. Both games will be on 1 April.
DO YOU AGREE WITH JOSE RIVEIRO?
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