“We have to continue putting pressure and pushing” – Jose Riveiro
Written by Ayanda Nyuswa on 9 May, 2024
By Ayanda Nyuswa
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says his team will continue to pile the pressure on Stellenbosch FC as the battle for the second CAF Champions League heats up. The Buccaneers extended their winning streak to five matches in the DSTV Prem as they saw off the challenge of Chippa United with a 2-0 victory at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, their second successive win over the Chili Boys after beating them in the Nedbank Cup final last weekend.
The win has moved Pirates to within one point of second placed Stellenbosch FC, as Steve Barkers side were held to a goalless draw by AmaZulu FC at the Danie Craven Stadium. The battle for second position is one of a few tussles left in the DSTV Premiership after Mamelodi Sundowns wrapped up yet another league win with seven matches to go, and it will definitely be interesting to see how the race for Champions League football concludes for the two sides.
Pirates have three games left in the league this season as they will welcome relegation threatened Richards Bay FC at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday (11 May), then travel to Mbombela Stadium the following weekend (18 May) to face a tricky TS Galaxy side and close off the season at home against Supersport United (25 May). Riveiro acknowledges that Stellenbosch still have their fate in their own hands with that one point advntage, says his team will continue to apply pressure on Steve Barkers side till the end of the season
“Stellies is still ahead of us one point, that is the reality they still depending on their own performances and results we have to continue putting pressure and pushing as much as we can in order to do our own homework,” Riveiro said to reporters after their win over Chippa United.
“It’s gonna be difficult until the end for all of us, tight games for sure but at the same time it is a nice fight. Stellies is doing an excellent season whatever happens in the end of the season for them it is an exceptional campaign so we gonna try to get our second objective (finishing second) obviously but it is the highest position that we can achieve right now and we gonna give our all,” Riveiro concluded.