Unlike his Soweto counterpart, Arthur Zwane, Spanish coach Jose Riveiro appears to have gained full confidence of his bosses at Orlando Pirates.
Jose Riveiro is thriving well and has had to depend on ten players who have emerged as his trusted stars.
Orlando Pirates sit in third position in the DStv Premiership after 27 rounds of fixtures. For goals, coach Jose Riviero has banked on Monnapule Saleng, who is the club’s top goalscorer with ten goals.
Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja initially said to be leaving, has contributed five goals in just 11 matches.
Veteran striker Kermit Erasmus has contributed three goals since crossing floors to join Orlando Purates from Mamelodi Sundowns.
WHO ARE THE STARS THAT JOSE RIVEIRO BANKS ON
However, as Monnapule Saleng bangs goals, coach Jose Riveiro has depended on nine other players as his workhorses.
These include Deon Hotto, skipper Innocent Maela, N Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki, Bandile Shandu, P Mako and Miguel Timm.
Kabelo Dlamini and Vincent Pule complete the list while the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch have been disadvantaged by injury.
And it is Deon Hotto who has made the cut into Jose Riveiro team more than any other player this season.
The Namibian forward made 30 appearances for the Buccaneers in all competitions.
He played 24 matches in the DStv Premiership with one goal to his name.
Former Golden Arrows defender Nkosinathi Sibisi follows with 29 appearances in all competitions. Just like Hotto, he has one goal to his name.
Captain Innocent Maela has been shining beacon especially after being handed the captaincy armband.
The 30-year-old defender has one goal and an assist in 26 matches in all competitions. Tapelo Xoki has been one of the reliable Orlando Pirates players this season.
Xoki has been effective in the 23 matches that he has been deployed, with one goal to his name.
The same applies to Bandile Shandu who has played 22 times and Paseka Mako who played 24 matches and scored once.
Miguel Timm has also been exceptional having played 28 matches in the 29 times he has been drafted on the teamsheet.
The other players who have significant appearances in the team are Kabelo Dlamini, Monnapule Saleng and Vincent Pule.
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