Riveiro explains why his absence in the Soweto Derby isn’t a big deal
“I’m not going to be there on the bench where I’m supposed to be. It's not a big problem."
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has explained why his absence in Soweto Derby won’t be a big deal at the weekend.
Pirates will take on rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 25 February, at 3: 30 pm, and Riveiro will be missing from the dugout.
Riveiro will serve his last match ban in the much-anticipated DStv Premiership clash against Chiefs. He was given a straight red card against All Stars FC in the Nedbank Cup last 32.
Without the Spaniard, the Soweto Giants were able to beat Maritzburg United in a league game last week at Orlando Stadium, winning 2-1.
Against Chiefs, Riveiro is optimistic that his charges will once against perform to the best of their ability and emerge victorious.
JOSE RIVEIRO SAYS PIRATES PLAYERS ARE COACHABLE
According to Riveiro, his men are used to working with other coaches [Mandla Ncikazi and Sergio Almenara], and they are professionals who are coachable.
“I’m not going to be there on the bench where I’m supposed to be. It’s not a big problem, and it’s not an issue for the players nowadays,” Riveiro told the media.
“I have a super supporting staff behind me, the players at Pirates are used to work with all our coaches, same level that they work with me.
“We have different roles there, they are used to the situation. In our club the important people are the players and they know what to do and they have the capacity to make the decisions themselves.”
ONE WORRYING FACTOR
Riveiro further revealed an issue that they might face during the Soweto Derby. However, he says there is nothing they can do about it.
“It’s not easy to contact our players with 90 000 spectators at FNB. We have an opportunity before the game and at halftime to influence the game development,” he added.
Pirates heard into the Soweto Derby looking to avoid back-to-back defeats against the Glamour Boys. The last time the two sides met in the league, Amakhosi won one nil score line, thanks to a brillant goal by Yusuf Maart
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