Head coach Jose Riveiro insists it should become the norm for Orlando Pirates to be involved in the latter stages of every competition and fight for bigger objectives, including the DStv Premiership title, every season.
Riveiro revealed his demands for his Buccaneers squad ahead of a highly-anticipated Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates will be aiming to defend their Nedbank Cup title and end the season with an impressive cup double, having already claimed the MTN8 title earlier this season.
Under the Spanish tactician, Pirates have become cup specialists, after clinching three titles under Riveiro so far, with two trophies in his debut campaign.
However, a DStv Premiership title has eluded the Sea Robbers after finishing as runners-up last season with Mamelodi Sundowns again crowned as champions.
“When you are working, coaching or playing for a club like Orlando Pirates you have to be prepared to arrive in the last stages of the season fighting for big objectives, that’s what we want,” Riveiro said.
“We are happy to find ourselves fighting for the opportunity to be together in a final one more time.
“We know that it’s going to be a difficult match and we have to be prepared for that because we want to be in that final, we are representing Pirates.
“Also, we would like to be fighting for the league, which is not possible anymore. But yes, we are playing for Orlando Pirates and need to be ready to be in the last stages of each season, fighting for important objectives,” he said.
“Right now, there are two (objectives) which are being in the final and fighting to finish in the second position, which is not a minor thing.
“I don’t want to say we are comfortable or not comfortable in those scenarios. It’s something that we have to show in each and every game that we are ready to do it.”
Pirates head into their clash against the Chilli Boys in fine form, after recording five wins in five and scoring 18 goals while conceding just three.
The winner between Chippa and Pirates will face either Stellenbosch FC or the league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at Mbombela Stadium on June 1.
5 - Orlando Pirates have won five consecutive games in all competitions for the first time under Jose Riveiro. The last Pirates coach to oversee a longer run in the same season was Ruud Krol in 2011 (6 games). Serious. #dstvprem pic.twitter.com/XEiiDm6RA5
— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) May 2, 2024
