Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates congratulates his goalkeeper Sipho Chaine after beating Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League in. BackpagePix
JOSE RIVEIRO might be new to continental football, but the Spaniard is shrewd enough to know not to get carried away by good results.
As The Ghost excitedly celebrated Orlando Pirates’' progression to the quarter-final of the CAF Champions League and many among the Buccaneers’ faithful already foreseeing a second star above the club’s crossbones and skull insignia, Riveiro was staying grounded.
Speaking after Pirates’ 2-1 defeat of record champions and current holders Al Ahly in Cairo on Saturday night, the young coach rather focused on his team’s performance than the result.
Pirates Seal Famous Victory in Cairo
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The interviewer asked the Buccaneers coach if Pirates topping the group by going unbeaten in the six matches was a clear message to the rest of the competitors that the South Africans are serious contenders.
“No,” was his emphatic answer “It is a message for ourselves as a young team to say … and to show ourselves and understand that we have the capacity to compete on a stage like this.
“And I am not talking about the result, I am talking about the ability to perform and stay in the game in the difficult times. That’s what’s most important today.”
Back in the continent’s premier club knockout competition’s group phase for the first time in a long while, Pirates were expected to battle it out for second spot with CR Belouizdad while Ahly were pencilled in as the obvious group winners.
But the Buccaneers shredded that script, beating Belouizdad away and home and also going to Cairo and grabbing maximum points – the third time the club has won against Ahly in Egypt – to top the group.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored early in the second half, the youngster capitalizing on two Al Ahly’s defenders’ failure to clear a ball floated into their area and snatching the loose ball before calmly slotting in.
Substitute Gilberto scored the winner on 83 minutes after El Shawaty had equalized for the hosts on 69 minutes.
“It was a good game. I think all (both) teams were looking for a good result from the first minute. The first half was very equal,” Riveiro explained.
“There were moments for Pirates and moments for Al Ahly. And the goal chances were good.
“The second half was better, especially when we got the lead - it was not a good result for them and they were throwing everything they have.
“So we managed to defend that and we did a good job in our low block with a little bit of luck which is important.”
Not surprisingly, he lavished his players with praises.
“Overall a good performance by both teams and I really appreciate the effort of my players against a team like Ahly and the level of resilience they showed tonight. It is very good news for us for the future.”
The immediate future will be a return to the domestic scene on Thursday for a Betway Premiership clash against Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg as they seek to stay in touch with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the battle for the league title.
Whatever Riveiro might say, there will not be many teams begging to be drawn against Pirates when the CAF Champions League draw is conducted.
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