FILE PHOTO: Former Orlando Pirates Coaches Fadlu Davids and Josef Zinnbauer in Moscow. PICTURE: Lokomotif/ Twitter.
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0 JOHANNESBURG: Riveiro’s second season at Mayfair has begun on a disappointing note.
Although Orlando Pirates have defended the MTN8 trophy, they have been a disappointment in the 2023/24 campaign thus far; their form across competitions has been a letdown.
Jose Riveiro’s side was touted for big things this season following their domestic double last season in which, in addition to the MTN8, they claimed the Nedbank Cup.
It was hoped that the team would continue on a foundation that Riveiro laid in his first season at the helm of the Soweto giants. However, the Buccaneers have not lived up to that expectation.
Pirates began the season hot from an off-season camp in Spain, where they were undefeated against European and South American sides. The writing was on the wall in their opening DSTV Premiership match away at Stellenbosch, who stunned them 1-0. Redeeming themselves, Pirates bounced back against Royal AM. However, the two matches highlighted the inconsistencies to come.
The inconsistencies have plagued Riveiro and his men. Having finished as the last season’s runner-ups, Pirates had qualified for the CAF Champions League in this current campaign. Therefore, similar to Mamelodi Sundowns, who have reached the CAF Champions League group stages and the final of the inaugural African Football League (AFL), their matches had to be compressed.
The Ghosts unconvincingly made it to the final of the MTN8, which they won on penalties against Sundowns. Their performance leading to the final, however, had left much to be desired.
Next up for Pirates, who had a few matches in hand, was their elimination from the continental competition by Jwaneng Galaxy, an outfit from the neighbouring Botswana, on penalties, as they could not score enough goals to progress to the group stages. While limping with matches coming thick and fast, Pirates are now left with one match in hand and lie outside the top eight after nine matches.
They have collected only 12 points out of a possible 27 with a league form of three losses, three draws and three wins, an epitome of inconsistency.
Added to their woes, Ezimnyama – as they are affectionately known – were dumped out of the Carling Knockout Cup by Richards Bay in the first week of November. It could be argued that Pirates are playing every next day to catch up and thus experience fatigue. It could also be argued that the Soweto giants are under immense pressure to live up to expectations.
Their inconsistencies are rooted in the fact that, unlike Sundowns, who are able to win matches even with lacklustre performances, Pirates lack a winning pedigree; Pirates are pedestrian in most of their bad matches. Riveiro’s second season at Mayfair has begun on a disappointing note and he has to change something in order to turn back the corner.
Their next fixture is the Soweto derby with fellow struggling Kazier Chiefs. Both giants lack the momentum and form to make noise at the moment due to their disappointing, inconsistent performances.
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