‘It’s not a football ground’: Riveiro on Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Despite collecting maximum points away from home, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro delivered a scathing critique of the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium’s playing surface, describing it as ‘horrible’.”
Riveiro, who will leave the Buccaneers at the end of the season, spoke following their 1-0 win over Polokwane City FC in the Betway Premiership in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
Bafana Bafana international Nkosinathi Sibisi scored the only goal of the day in the 67th minute of the showpiece to seal a victory for the Soweto giants.
As a result, the Sea Robbers have collected 46 points after 20 games and are in second place on the log standings with three games in hand. They are now 12 points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
WHAT JOSE RIVEIRO SAID ABOUT THE OLD PETER MOKABA STADIUM
The Spanish mentor said that the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium is unsuitable for football, pointing out how awful it is to compete at the venue.
“It is always an ugly game when you play at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. It cannot be the other way around; the shape of the field is terrible, slow, and bumpy. It is not a football ground, so you have to find a way not to concede and be patient by waiting for opportunities,” said Riveiro in a post-match interview with SuperSport TV.
“We have a lot of quality, and we knew opportunities would come, and this was in the form of a set piece.
“It is a massive three points to collect here because not every team can do it against a very disciplined team that was running an extra mile, but I’m happy with the three points.”
Pirates will now shift their focus to their CAF Champions League second leg quarterfinal match against MC Alger on Wednesday, 9 April, at Orlando Stadium. The game will start at 18:00 [SA time].
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