Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has accepted the tag of
favourites in the Carling Knockout Cup after his side won all domestic cup
tournaments since he was appointed last season.
The Buccaneers have been on a winning streak since Riveiro’s appointment
at the beginning of last season, retaining the MTN8 Cup after beating
Mamelodi Sundowns in the final on Saturday, 3-1 on penalties, after a
goalless draw in extra-time.
PIRATES ARE MTN8 CHAMPIONS!
Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win the MTN8 final. #MTN8FINAL #Pirates #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/Q4TXCV2Yk1— Scrolla Sport (@ScrollaSport) October 7, 2023
Pirates have been drawn against Cape Town Spurs at home in a Carling
Knockout Cup round of 16 clash and the Spanish mentor says he has no
problem with the favourites tag, as they are a big team anyway and there’s
expectations to win the cup.
“Football is about the last game you played, right now we’re in a good
space obviously, I’m not gonna lie, after winning one more trophy, the
level of the opposition on Saturday…epic victory for us, it’s gonna be a
boost but we have to put our mind in the next one,” Riveiro said at the
Carling Knockout Cup launch.
“If you ask me, usually we’re Orlando Pirates, if you guys want to see us
as favourites and everybody else, we accept it. It doesn’t change our
approach to the games because we always go with the mentality and
intention to win the game and in this competition, it’s not an exception.
But it’s a knockout game, everyone has the same probability,” he
continued.
“We start a new one. It’s about application, concentration, it’s about the
one who wants it more, will make it, we want to be that team again,” he
added.
Riveiro is confident that his side can carry their momentum into the
Carling Knockout Cup, as they look to add another trophy to their cabinet.
