Riveiro Aims to Bring Back Nostalgia from the Nedbank Cup
Orlando Pirates’ head coach, Jose Riveiro, acknowledges the challenges posed by Richards Bay FC as they prepare to defend their Nedbank Cup title. The Buccaneers are scheduled to visit King Zwelithini Stadium this Sunday for their round of 32 match.
The Pirates have enjoyed notable success in this tournament recently, securing the trophy for the past two seasons under Riveiro’s guidance. They emerged victorious against Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns in the finals, thereby reinforcing their strong reputation in the competition.
Despite their commendable performance in the league (currently positioned second behind Sundowns), Pirates cannot afford to take Richards Bay lightly. The KwaZulu-Natal side, presently in 14th place in the Betway Premiership, has previously been a formidable opponent for the Buccaneers.
“We truly understand the difficulties of facing Richards Bay,” Riveiro remarked.
“Last season, we struggled on three occasions to score against them. They knocked us out of the Carling Cup, won in Orlando, and held us to a goalless draw in Durban.
“This season, we managed to defeat them twice in league matches, but both encounters were hard-fought, with our winning goal coming in the 84th minute in Durban, followed by a home victory.
“They are a resilient team, but we are looking forward to starting our journey in the Nedbank Cup. We carry cherished memories of this competition from the last two seasons, as everyone knows.
“Defending our title is certainly a significant challenge, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity to compete for titles year after year.
“We will give everything we have, understanding that cup matches are decided in a single day, and we must perform at our very best.”
Pirates are set for another promising season, having already retained their MTN8 title earlier this year, marking their third consecutive triumph in that tournament.
Their most recent loss in the Nedbank Cup was in the round of 16 during the 2021/22 season, where they were eliminated by Marumo Gallants via penalties.
