Orlando Pirates gaffer Jose Riveiro has revealed the reason why he will not hasten to deploy the club’s new signings.
The Buccaneers are primed to start their 2023/24 DStv Premiership season with a tough date against Stellenbosch on Saturday.
And Jose Riveiro is aiming for a flying start to the new season, which is likely to be taxing as they will also be taking part in the CAF Champions League.
Riveiro, however, is planning to reserve his new signings in the early stages of the season.
The Orlando Pirates mentor reckons the new signings are yet to reach their level best in terms of fitness since they didn’t start the pre-season with the whole team.
WHAT JOSE RIVEIRO SAID ABOUT HIS NEW SIGNINGS
“The new players are not at the same level as others because they did not start at the same time,” said the Spanish tactician.
“So they are having different training programmes, but most of them are closer. Everyone needs that time to adapt to the new environment and the new club.
“They need time to cope with the methodology and strategy. If we want the fans to be patient with them, then we must be the first to do that.
“And give them time to adapt, but so far, the process is going so well for them,” the gaffer, Jose Riveiro, added.
Orlando Pirates signed a number of players, including Sephelo Baloni from Cape Town All Stars. They also snatched Katlego Otladisa from Marumo Gallants as well as goalie Melusi Buthelezi from TS Galaxy.
Patrick Maswanganyi, Lesedi Kapinga, Karim Kimvuidi and Sphamandla Gumede complete the list of Pirates’ new signings.
It remains to be seen when gaffer Jose Riveiro decides to unleash the highly-rated signings.
INNOCENT MAELA’S SENTIMENTS ON PIRATES’ NEW SIGNINGS
However, captain Innocent Maela is impressed by how the new players are adapting to the Pirates environment.
“The new players are really doing well with the whole team. When you get to play such competitive games together, you get to know more about each other,” said the captain.
“We were in pre-season, but it wasn’t that long, so there is obviously more to know about each other. As the coach said, we expect everyone to do well.
“We are looking to know them even more and vice-versa, and we wish them luck at the club. Everyone is expecting this to be a fantastic season,” Maela said.
While the CAF Champions is looming for the Soweto giants, they will also be aiming to defend their local titles. Orlando Pirates are the current holders of the MTN8 Cup and the Nedbank Cup.
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