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.
☠️ 🔎 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🔍
🏆 #NedbankCup Last 32
⚽️ All Stars FC vs Orlando Pirates
📆 11 February 2023
🏟 WITS Football Stadium
🕗 8pm
🎫 TicketPro Outlets
🎟️ 👉 https://t.co/8cBbQEhlpB⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways#MidrandOPFC
🖥 👉🏿 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.”
