Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro says he has to be unfair as he looks to get the best out of his squad this season.
Riveiro guided the Buccaneers to a second-place finish in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership and cup triumphs in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.
The club went all out in the market to beef up as they aim to compete on all fronts. Pirates welcomed quality players, including Karim Kimvuidi, Lesedi Kapinga, Katlego Otladisa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Melusi Buthelezi and Sephelo Baloni.
Bucs are playing in the CAF Champions League this time around, hence the need to strengthen their squad.
For Riveiro, it means he has to deal with a big squad with quality players who all want to play.
He has since admitted he cannot keep all of them happy, admitting he can never be 100% fair.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON BEING ‘UNFAIR’
“I’m not here to keep them happy, I’m here to help them be a better team and better players altogether,” he told the media. “The moment we’re part of the group – players and coaches – we have to accept the rules.
“It’s a very competitive squad, if you’re not a good player, you’re not gonna be part of it. It goes without saying. Very important players, quality players, international players, players with different objectives, different moments in their careers. So, we try to make them feel part of the process.”
While the Spaniard would like to be fair to his players, he admits it is always difficult.
“We need to be fair with them as much as possible. It’s impossible to be fair because I have many players who deserve to be in the starting XI tomorrow. So, I have to be unfair to some of them. Unfortunately, I can’t play 20. That’s the football rules.”
He believes the players need to always “show they are ready and really want to play.”
The Soweto giants play Djabal Club of Comoros in a CAF Champions League Preliminary Round second-leg tie at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 19:30 at the Orlando Stadium.
Pirates won the first leg 1-0 away from home at Stade Moroni Malouzini on Saturday.
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