Josรฉ Riveiro is an optimistic coach. As such, his ability to overcome adversaries makes him believe Orlando Pirates can still challenge for the title.
Pirates are currently the second-best team in the Betway Premiership, as they sit second in the standings. The Buccaneers trail log leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played four games more, by 18 points as the league heads into the final stretch.
Sure, games in hand are not guaranteed points, but Pirates could trim that gap to six points if they win all their rescheduled matches. They could further reduce the gap to just three points if they beat Sundowns, who will visit them at FNB Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off).
FT|| @StellenboschFC 0 v 0 @orlandopirates
โ Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) March 11, 2025
๐๏ธ Makhehleni Makhaula
โซโช๐ดโญ#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/cm4dfIZcri
Some pundits, however, believe the title is already out of reach for Pirates, given that Sundowns have already beaten them this season and boast a potent striking unit.
Be that as it may, Riveiro remains unfazed. The Spaniard has been at the club for almost three seasons, during which his team has achieved the improbable. Pirates have won five trophies out of seven, including an unprecedented MTN8 three-peat, while also reaching the CAF Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.
Thatโs why Riveiro points to the teamโs achievements and belief as the driving force behind their pursuit of a first league title since 2012.
โFirst of all, my players โ knowing what they are capable of doing, their willingness to compete, how hungry they are, and our capacity as a technical team to help them,โ he said of his belief.
โThereโs nothing around us that should make us feel negative about our chances of still challenging for the title. If you look at our performances in every competition, weโve been one of the best teams in Piratesโ history.
โItโs up to you whether you want to see it that way, but thatโs how we see it. Itโs not even up for discussion โ the numbers and performances speak for themselves. So, why should we look at the challenge any differently? We must be positive because we have reasons to be โ not because Iโm trying to motivate my people, but because itโs a fact.โ
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ญ ๐๐:๐๐: ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐
This one is a must-watch ๐#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/0fzUoruY9z
Pirates are trailing Sundowns by a significant margin due to various postponements of their games. Thatโs why Riveiro believes they still have control over their fate.
โYou can look at the games weโve played in the league and compare them to those played by the team at the top of the log,โ he said.
โThe standings are misleading. But still, everything is possible and remains in our hands. We must perform at the level the challenge requires, but thereโs still a lot to be said.โ
Pirates didnโt win their last two trophies โ the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 โ by fluke. They had to come from behind to beat Sundowns and Stellenbosch in the finals. And while those heroics have earned them the title of โcup kingsโ, Riveiro insists that the fire in their belly doesnโt allow them to give up when the going gets tough.
โItโs my responsibility โ itโs why Iโm sitting here and what the club expects from me,โ Riveiro explained.
โYouโve been around long enough, and you know these guys and I are a different breed. This is what we love โ we love to compete and face challenges.โ
The challenge Sundowns will pose on Sunday could have a major influence on where the league title ends up in May. However, Riveiro is focused on the bigger picture.
โNot at all (itโs not a title decider). Itโs just one more game โ an opportunity to collect three points and finish this part of the season in a better position,โ he said.
โItโs a chance to build confidence for all the challenges weโll face in the final stretch of the season as a team and a club, which is not a minor thing. There are also special games to come after the Fifa break, so all those factors make this game special.
"Thatโs all!โ