Tshegofatso Mabasa Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is hopeful that Tshegofatso Mabasa, right, can find the back of the net against SuperSport United on Saturday. | Sibonelo Ngcobo, Independent Media
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo, Independent Media
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro concedes that since games are coming thick and fast, it’s important to keep a winning front to motivate everyone within the group.
Pirates are the second team to beat in domestic football, behind Mamelodi Sundowns, as they are still involved in three competitions.
The Bucs are second in the Premiership race, and they are in the CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, in which they’ll face MC Alger and SuperSport United respectively.
And so, given the fact that they should wrap up all three competitions by June, they’ve been on a tight schedule, playing a game after every three days.
That has stretched their hand as they’ve had to put all their resources into use, including their depth, amid being considerate of eventualities such as form, injuries and suspensions.
But Riveiro, speaking ahead of their Nedbank Cup tie with SuperSport at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off), opened up on the tool they need to use to stay mentally sharp in these times.
“We are exploring a new space for all of us. The competitions are getting to a point where we don’t really have time to train anymore,” Riveiro explained.
“The time you spend on the (training) field with the players is not enough to make us feel satisfied as the coaches. The players are in recovery mode, not only physically, but mentally.
“Results are important right now. We are regularly winning games, so that helps a lot of the players to be ready for the next game.
“It’s difficult in this schedule if you are not getting good results. I think that’s the first element to highlight. But winning helps mentally, and to encourage the players to follow the process.”
While the work is cut out for the entire team, Pirates are still made up of groups and individuals. And so, everyone must pull their weight and make sacrifices.
Riveiro bemoaned that he lacked sleep during Thursday’s press conference as he had to fly from Gqeberha on Wednesday to Johannesburg to prepare for the clash in Polokwane.
He knows that he can’t afford to sulk and moan around, though, especially given that the medical department have been doing their bit to keep players fresh and rejuvenated.
And that’s why he’s called on the most important stakeholders of the sport, the players, to continue doing their best with every passing game.
“In the end, the most people are the players as individuals. They need to understand that they are professionals and the period they are in,” Riveiro said.
“It’s not about me, but the entire coaching staff. You don’t have time for anything, but the team. As the coaches, we must make sure that we have enough time to rest as well, mentally.
“We are not running, but trust me, the games are tough for us as well. This is a huge sacrifice, and people who are following football are starting to understand now.”
Pirates seemed to have run out of fuel in their tank up front in the last two games as they battled to score, having lost 2-0 to Marumo Gallants and won 1-0 away to Chippa United, where Nkosinathi Sibisi grabbed the winner on Wednesday night.
“I don’t see any challenge,” said Riveiro on their supposed shortcomings, before adding that they find goals in other avenues.
“Everybody can eventually score a goal in the game in any situation, and set-pieces is one of them, and the big boys are the ones who win challenges in 50/50 situations.
“So, those set-pieces are usually designed to find those big boys. (Goodman) Mosele scored in a set-piece a few days ago, even though he’s not one of those.
“Tshego (Mabasa) is scoring. If we are scoring one more goal than the opponent, then we are fine. We are also creating chances.”
Riveiro, though, knows they must create and score when they visit SuperSport as they are back-to-back defending champions of the country’s premier football competition.
“It’s very important for us to give our best in every competition that we play in – particularly as a group, we have ambitions, since day one, to play every final,” Riveiro said.