Coach Riveiro delighted by Buccaneers’ depth

ORLANDO Pirates coach Jose Riveiro referenced his 36-man squad’s quality and competition for spots in the starting XI as one of the main reasons for their impressive start to the season.

The Soweto giants have been a dominant force this season and have stunned teams because of their high pace and constant pressure style of play.

As impressive as their intensity has been this season, they have on occasions found themselves on the back foot.

The first scare of the season was in the opening match away from home, where the Buccaneers were beaten 1-0 by Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium .

Also, in their last Premiership outing, they were made to work to return home with a point in a 1-1 draw with Chippa United in Gqeberha.

But after successive CAF Champions League qualifier wins over Djabal Club d’Iconi of Comoros, Pirates dispatched Cape Town City 2-0 at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.

In-form striker Zakhele Lepasa opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Patrick Maswanganyi wrapped up the three points 15 minutes from the end.

Riveiro has made it clear that there are no easy opponents in the league and that the difference between big clubs and smaller clubs has shrunk significantly in the world of football.

“I feel like I started six months ago but it’s only been four weeks. These things happen sometimes early in the season,” said Riveiro, referencing big clubs losing to smaller clubs.

“Do you think it’s an anomaly to lose to Stellenbosch?” he asked.

“I think Stellenbosch beat Sundowns, us and SuperSport – if we count the last period of the last season – so it’s not an anomaly to lose against them.

“Today in football, the differences are not that big anymore. You have to change that perception due to a lot of things now that surround the teams.

“It’s fitness conditions, the analysis and a lot of things that can make the games very tight and equal.”

With that said, the pure bliss that the supporters experience when watching Pirates play is not taken away at all and City got a reminder of the deadly nature of the Buccaneers’ game midweek.

One of the key strengths at Pirates is the abundance of high quality players on the field and also the bench.

Riveiro pointed out how at training every player fights for a spot in the starting XI.

“It’s tough for everyone (to get selected),” he said.

“We have 36 players and all of them are very good players. Thirty are available for selection right now ... All fit, hungry, pushing, training very well, and that’s very good news for Orlando Pirates.

“We have a lot of players fit and versatile and fighting every training session to have a place in the starting XI.”