Pirates are fully focused on Spurs
COACH IS NOT LOOKING AT SOWETO DERBY YET
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has insisted that the team’s mind is fully focused on their game against Cape Town Spurs and not the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs this weekend.
Pirates take on Cape Town Spur in a DStv Premiership tie at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, and face rivals Amakhosi a few days later.
Emphasising that the team is solely concentrated on their clash against Spurs, Riveiro says all league games are the same and offer the same points as they aim to finish high on the log.
“You get the same amount of points in every game. There is nothing extra because of the opponent you are playing and I try to be pragmatic in my approach. We know the importance of the three points, and that’s the only thing that occupies our minds right now,” said the Bucs mentor.
“We have a very good opportunity from now to finish as high as possible and finish as far as possible in the Nedbank Cup. So, it’s a challenge.”
Pirates’ objective is to finish in second place on the league table, and they go into the Spurs game after collecting maximum points against Polokwane City FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium this past weekend.
The victory was a big morale booster for the Buccaneers, with the club having recorded two wins in a row after they beat Crystal Lake FC 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup last 32-round.
Before the Crystal Lake tie, Riveiro’s charges played to a 1-1 draw with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in their first game of the year.
The Sea Robbers will be eager to continue with their winning momentum going into the clash with the Urban Warriors, who had their struggles at the first round of the season. But, the Mother City-based club seems to have found their mojo back as they fight to get out of the relegation zone.
Spurs have won their last two league matches, beating AmaZulu FC 3-1 and TS Galaxy 2-0 despite being knocked-out of the Nedbank Cup by Motsepe Foundation Championship side University of Pretoria 1-0.
Pirates are in fourth place on the standings with 29 points after 18 matches, while Spurs have only accumulated 10 points.