In not so many words, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has described the Fifa break as a double-edged sword as the hiatus can either halt the momentum of a team or bring regeneration.
The Soweto giants have had a decent start to the season as they are into the MTN8 semi-final and second on the DStv Premiership log standings after eight games with 14 points.
Riveiro, who is using the international break to fuse in their two recently signed players, will be hoping Pirates will kick on and hit top gear from the season resumes.
Pirates finished the transfer window strongly on deadline day, 22 September.
They signed two high-profile players in Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo from Marumo Gallants and Kermit Erasmus from Mamelodi Sundowns.
THE BUCS COACH ON THE FIFA BREAK
“It’s [the break] not good or bad; it is what it is. We have to adapt ourselves to the schedule in terms of fixtures and trips,” Riveiro told the media.
“As everybody knows now, September is normal.
“We have a break until the end of the month.
“It is time to do a deep analysis about what we’ve been doing for the past six weeks since the league started.
“We need to make sure with where we are with our process because this is a long-term process,” added the Pirates coach.
The Buccaneers have been playing progressive positional football under the new coach Riveiro.
And the Spanish mentor says they will use the break to improve their game as Pirates have been struggling for goals despite playing some mouth-watering football.
The preferred front duo Kwame Peprah and Bienvenu Eva Nga have failed to make a real impression in front of goals.
But with Zakhele Lepasa finding his goals scoring touch and Erasmus joining Pirates, Riveiro remains optimistic.
“There’s a lot of things to analyse and implement for these weeks. For a team like us, we trust in the training process during the week and these breaks,” he said.
“We have the time now to enjoy these full weeks before we face our next opponents and make sure it’s a positive thing for us,” added the coach.
The Soweto giants’ first encounter after the Fifa break is a crucial two-legged MTN8 semi-final against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The first leg will be staged at Orlando Stadium on the 1st of October.
