PREVIEW: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro revels in mind games as battle for Caf Champions League spot with Stellenbosch heats up

After this weekend, both sides will remain with two matches in the league, as Stellies and Bucs are hoping for a safe landing in their pursuit of the Caf Champions League spot.

DStv Premiership runners-up will have a shot in next season’s Champions League, where Mamelodi Sundowns have been a regular for close to a decade.

Riveiro’s side are left with matches against Richards Bay, TS Galaxy, and SuperSport United, and Steve Barker’s charges will be in action against Moroka Swallows, Sundowns, and the Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s Natal Rich Boyz.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with the reegation threatened Richards Bay, the Bucs mentor insisted he is enjoying the battle for second place. Riveiro explained that the Champions League spot is Stellies’ to lose.

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“Stellies are still ahead of us by one point and that’s the reality and they’re still depending on their own results,” said Riveiro.

“For us, we have to continue putting pressure on them and push as much as we can. It’s going to be a difficult race for all of us, but at the same time, it’s a nice fight.

“Stellies are having an excellent season and whatever happens at the end of the season, it’s still an exceptional campaign for them. But we are going to try and achieve our objective, which is to finish second or as high as we can,” he added.

The Buccaneers will host the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday while second-placed Stellies are also in Soweto where they will confront Moroka Swallows on the same day.

Pirates’ encounter will kick-off at 20:00 while Stellenbosch and the Dube Birds clash at 15:00.