On Saturday, Orlando Pirates will take on South African second-tier side All Stars in the Nedbank Cup last 32 clash. Ahead of the encounter, Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has warned against underestimating the opposition, stressing that the lower division teams are full of talented players.
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NedbankCup Last 32
⚽️ All Stars FC vs Orlando Pirates
11 February 2023
WITS Football Stadium
8pm
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https://t.co/1ekNMifeoh… pic.twitter.com/dqprS6CTtl— Greater Midrand Orlando☠️Pirates Supporters Branch (@MidrandOPFC) February 10, 2023
Riveiro said in a press conference: “We cannot make jokes about what’s coming on Saturday, we know how difficult it’s gonna be if we’re not in our level. If we’re in our level, then let’s be honest, probably it’s gonna be more close for us to get a result we’re looking for. We played many friendly games against second tier teams and I know about the complexity of those games, how skilful the players are in that division.”
The 45-year-old coach also outlined the difference between the two divisions, saying: “The difference between the leagues is the rhythm of the game, the time that you have to play and the time that you don’t have to play. If we propose a game where the opponent is going to have space and metres, it’s going to be difficult for us. So it’s (up to) us to make a difficult game for them or an easy game for them.”
All Stars currently sit sixth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings, and the Pirates coach is well aware of the challenge they pose. He concluded: “It’s a nice competition, I also have to think about how my colleagues in the lower division think and feel about the tournament and the opportunities for everyone, for example for our opponent to play against Orlando Pirates, a huge team.”
