Orlando Pirates Coach Jose Riveiro Downplays Second Place Finish Ahead of Nedbank Cup Final

• Orlando Pirates finished 23 points behind DStv Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns
• Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, is delighted his team qualified for the CAF Champions League
• The coach insisted that finishing second, 23 points behind the champions is not good enough

Orlando Pirates finished second in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership for the second straight season.

They narrowly edged Stellenbosch FC on goal difference, but it was another decent campaign by Jose Riveiro's side.

The Spaniard, however, says that finishing 23 points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns is not a notable accomplishment.

Riveiro's Pirates face Sundowns in a huge Nedbank Cup final this weekend, and they are looking to finish a decent season with silverware. The Buccaneers won the 2023 Nedbank Cup after beating Sekhukhune United.

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Riveiro was happy they finished second to secure CAF Champions League football but pointed out that they need to reduce the gap between them and the champions.

“I’m so proud and happy because it’s not easy, maybe it can be… I think we shouldn’t undermine what it means to be in the Champions League but not celebrating to be in second, we’re celebrating being in the Champions League,” he said via iDiski Times.

"Being second, 23 points behind the first one, it’s not a huge achievement, so that’s our objective from now on; how we can reduce the gap, with whoever is leading the log."

The last time Pirates won the PSL was in 2012. Last season, they finished 16 points behind Sundowns, but the gap grew this campaign.

Riveriro on Pirates' ambition

Sports Brief earlier reported on Riveiro, highlighting the importance of patience and trusting the process rather than quick results at the club.

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The Spaniard has coached Pirates since 2022 but has not led them to PSL glory. However, he has shown he can make his team competitive against the big teams.

Pirates legend calls out Riveiro

Sports Brief earlier reported on Bruce Ramokgadi, a former Pirates striker, bashing Riveiro and saying he will never lead the club to a league title.

Ramokgadi is not impressed with Riveiro's management style. He thinks the coach changes the team way too much.