4 finals in 2 seasons: Orlando Pirates coach reacts
4 finals in 2 seasons: Orlando Pirates coach reacts
Despite Mamelodi Sundowns‘ incredible dominance in the DStv Premiership, Orlando Pirates have been something special in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup. Coach Jose Riveiro has broken it down.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH JOSE RIVEIRO ON CUP SUCCESS
The Sea Robbers won the MTN8 last season before defending it again this term. The reigning Nedbank Cup champions then beat Chippa United to confirm a meeting with Sundowns in the final on 1 June. Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro told his players that four finals in two seasons are not normal and they should cherish these memorable events.
“It is unique to be in four finals in two seasons. I think it is not usual. It tells a lot of good things about the process that is going through in our club,” Riveiro as quoted by the Citizen.
“I said to the players after the game that the ones who managed to take us to the finals last season, many of them are not in the field right now or not in the team at all. But they showed us the way to compete,” the Orlando Pirates mentor added.
“They showed us the way to play these types of games. They are still contributing and this is the team’s achievement.
“I think we are not just winning in this tournament, we are playing memorable games. We are going to play one more game, which is going to be in our memories forever,” concluded the Orlando Pirates tactician.
RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG FOR YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Stellenbosch FC’s Devin Titus was a hot favourite for the Young Player of the Season a week ago but a new update has suddenly turned things around in favour of Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng.
The Bishop Lavis-born Titus went ahead on goal contributions when he scored last week as Stellies beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium. Titus marked 12 goals and three assists in 34 games.
Orlando Pirates’ Mofokeng trailed with four goals and six assists in 32 games, while SuperSport’s Shandre Campbell has delivered five goals and five assists in 27 games.
Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has confirmed changes to the Young Player of the Season criteria, and they favour the Orlando Pirates attacker. The new update says the award can only be won by players under the age of 21, rather than 23.
“The player must be under the age of 21 years old on 1 January in the year that the DStv Premiership season commences“, meaning candidates must be U21 and younger. Those eligible for this year’s award must be born in 2002 or later,” the note from the PSL said, as quoted by iDiskiTimes.