Jose Riveiro’s desire: ‘We really want it’

Jose Riveiro during Orlando Pirates press conference

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has expressed one of his desires, revealing what the Sea Robbers really want for the remainder of the season before he departs.

With the 2024/25 season reaching its crucial stage, Pirates remain in contention in three major titles as they are gunning for the Betway Premiership title, Nedbank Cup, and the CAF Champions League.

In one of their important fixtures, Pirates are preparing to face Algerian side MC Alger in the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 09 April.

The Soweto giants head into the match with a vital away goal after beating MC Alger 1-0 away from home in the first-leg last week.

Riveiro’s men concluded the group stages of the Champions League with an unbeaten record, winning three games and drawing two. The Ghosts aim to sustain their momentum as the only undefeated team in the tournament as they look to advance to the semi-finals and win the African title.

JOSE RIVEIRO AIMING TO SECURE SEMI-FINAL SPOT

Speaking to the media ahead of the crucial clash against Alger, Riveiro admitted that his desire is to secure the semi-final spot and ultimately go to the final.

Orlando Pirates at training at training in Orlando Stadium
Jose Riveiro. Picture courtesy of Orlando Pirates/X

“My mind is on all the things we’re going to do against MC Alger in order to be in the semi-final. We really want it,” Riveiro said.

“We were fighting since day one to be in these scenarios, to be as competitive as we are, and the way we managed to be here, we’re just thinking about the next game. Pirates want to win each and every game; we want to win in the Nedbank Cup over the weekend, and that’s it.

“Thinking about myself and what’s going to happen won’t help me, that’s where my mind is at the moment,” the Spanish tactician added.

Riveiro will be looking to end his stint with Pirates on a high after the club announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season. His contract is set to expire on June 30th, 2025, having taken over the coaching job in July 2022.

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