Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has welcomed the upcoming FIFA International break and believes it will help polish certain aspects of his team.
The Buccaneers are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. This includes a 2-1 win against Stellenbosch FC in the first-leg of the MTN8 semi-final clash at Athlone on Sunday.
They have also scored 18 goals in their last seven matches, conceding only four.
Speaking after the win against Stellies, Riveiro says there are small things that they will try to work on without having the pressure of preparing for competitive matches.
JOSE RIVEIRO REVEALS FIFA BREAK PLANS
“We had a long journey in August. It’s a well-deserved pause, it’s not even a break, it’s not going to be long, unfortunately,” he said.
“So we will use the time to prepare for the upcoming games. It’s a time that we can use to work on small things. Individuals that we can help to polish certain things because we don’t have the rush of any competition or pressure of any competition.
“As coaches, we really like this period because we can affect a bit more what’s happening in the team during the break without the pressure of competitions every three days. So it is like a secondary period in planning, but it’s a very important moment of the season, and we have to use it very well,” he said.
TWO WEEKS OFF PAUSE FOR ORLANDO PIRATES
Pirates will be back in action when they host Jwaneng Galaxy on the weekend of 15/16 September in the CAF Champions League.
Riveiro will look to marksman Zakhale Lepasa for goals. The striker’s good form continued as he scored during Bucs win over Stellies on Sunday.
Lepasa netted his fourth of the MTN8 this season after a hat-trick in the quarterfinals against Sekhukhune United. It was his 10th goal in eight matches.
RELATED STORY: Deon Hotto’s late goal secures Pirates victory over Stellenbosch
