Riveiro believes Stellenbosch will provide their toughest Cup final test
Written by Ayanda Nyuswa on 2 October, 2024
By Ayanda Nyuswa
Ahead of the MTN 8 final show down against Stellenbosch FC, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes Steve Barker’s men will provide them with their toughest cup final test yet. The Bucaneers will clash against Stellies at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturay night (18h00 kick off).
Jose Riviero and his Pirates side will be searching for an unprecidented third MTN 8 title in a row, a feat no other team has achieved in the PSL era. Stellies on the other hand will play in their first ever top 8 final, looking to add the coveted trophy to their cabinet after winning the Carling Knockout last season.
Pirates have won only twice in their previous five meetings against Steve Barkers troops, which includes their first leg semi final win in last season competition. Riviero has given full repsect to the Cape Winelands side, as he is wary of the threat they will pose on Saturday.
““We have to accept Stellenbosch the way they are, we respect them big time,” Riveiro told reporters ahead of the final.
“We faced Stellenbosch four times last season, the MTN 8 semi finals and our two games in the league. We beat them once, it takes 94 minutes in Athlone (Stadium) to beat them against ten players. We didn’t get the result in any of the other games so we know very well what it means to play Stellenbosch. We have to accept it that it is going to be a game that is where we are going to be permanently under threat because there is gonna be transitions, doesn’t matter how good or how well we prepare ourselves for that situation, we know it is coming.
Since arriving at Pirates in 2022, Riveiro has played in four cup finals (excluding Saturdays match), carrying a 100% record having beaten the likes of AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, and Mamelodi Sundowns. The Spanish mentor has a different feeling about this weekends clash against Stellenbosch as he anticipates it to be their toughest cup final test.
“Our players are smart not to appreaciate, they know football they appreciate what Stellenbosch is doing. They’re not taking Stellenbosch like a minor thing, you can be sure. We know it is going to be, I would say all of those finals the toughest one in my opinion because of the characteristics of our opponent,” Riveiro concluded.
