Jose Riveiro identifies Stellenbosch dangermen ahead of MTN8 final tie
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has identified several key players from Stellenbosch FC as potential dangermen ahead of the MTN8 final on Saturday in Durban.
The much-anticipated final showdown will be played on 5 October at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium. Kickoff is at 6PM.
Heading into the encounter, Pirates will be aiming to clinch the title for the third time in a row. In the last two finals, they defeated AmaZulu FC 1-0 and rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
On the other hand, the Stellies are eyeing to win their second title in the PSL. Last season, the Cape Winelands side won the Carling Knockout Cup. They defeated TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON STELLENBOSCH’S DANGERMEN
The Spanish mentor says the Capetonians have quick players up front in Lehlohonolo Mojela, Devin Titus, Sanele Barns and Jayden Adams, who can be a threat. Riveiro further revealed that he’s expecting Stellies to come out on full attack against them in the final.
Mojela has had a perfect start to life at Stellies. The attacker joined the club ahead of the current season from TS Galaxy. So far, he has played eight matches in all competitions and scored five goals. Barns also joined the Stellies ahead of this season from Richards Bay FC. In nine matches in all competitions, the attacker has scored one goal.
Academy graduates Adams and Titus have also been good at Maroon. So far this season, Titus has scored one goal in 10 matches. Adams, who was a Mamelodi Sundowns target in the transfer window, scored a goal and assisted in nine matches in all competitions.
“We have to accept Stellenbosch the way they are, and we respect them big time; we faced Stellenbosch four times last season: the MTN8 semi-finals [two legs] and our two games in the league,” said Riveiro.
“We beat them once; it took us 94 minutes at Athlone Stadium to beat them; we know very well what it means to play Stellenbosch. We’re going to be permanently under threat. There are going to be transitions; it doesn’t matter if we are good and how we prepare ourselves.
“I think we know it’s coming [Stellenbosch will attack Pirates]. We know [Sanele] Barns, [Devin] Titus, Lehlohonolo [Mojela] and Jayden [Adams]. They have the capacity to play quick forward; we know how aggressive they are in the counter-press.
“It’s a top team in the league, in PSL competitions. Mojela is a striker, and he’s at the top in fouls committed. It tells you a lot about the level of aggression when they lose the ball. That’s one of the moments we need to control close to perfection, if we do it, we will be close to win the sport. If we don’t do it, we will be compromised.”
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