How Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro keeps players on their toes
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed how he keeps his players on their toes to encourage healthy competition within the Soweto giants squad.
There is stiff competition at Pirates for places, and Riveiro believes that many of his players in the squad are ready and deserve to be in the starting 11.
However, not everyone can make it in the matchday squad as Riveiro can only field 11 players with five substitutes on the bench.
The Soweto giants assembled a strong squad ahead of the current season to challenge for titles. They made an instant impact winning the MTN8 by beating AmaZulu in the final.
But, along the way, Pirates started slacking, blowing hot and cold in the DStv Premiership.
Riveiro’s troops were underperforming as they once dropped as low as eighth on the log standings.
At some stage, they suffered two defeats in a row against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
HOW RIVEIRO KEEPS HIS PLAYERS ON THEIR TOES
According to Riveiro, stiff competition makes his job both easy and challenging in terms of team selection.
“I said to the guys, there are so many players ready to be in the starting 11. That makes things difficult and easy for me at the same time,” Riveiro told the media.
Pirates hammered Stellenbosch 4-1 in a league clash on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Stadium.
It was the first time this season Riveiro’s men won back-to-back league matches as they beat Golden Arrows 3-1 last week.
“There are many players prepared and in the right moment to be starting 11 players. Unfortunately, we can only select 11 players and five substitutes.
“Even the players coming from the bench, the way they come [in], they are hungry and try to contribute; it’s what we are looking for.”
RIVEIRO TO GIVE ALL PLAYERS A CHANCE TO PLAY
The Spaniard tactician further revealed that he will try to give all players an opportunity to play. This in turn will he so everyone to be involved and contribute in the team’s success.
“It’s a kind of a dream for the coach to have a chance to keep everybody involved.
“And that’s going to be key for us to find ourselves in the end of the season where we want to be,” he added.
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