2 weeks Ago
Through all the occasions that Riveiro has shown to have the voice of reason, second place in consecutive seasons must now be turned into first place. This is what the Ghost will desire despite knowing all too well how huge the gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns has been. The league title is what the Buccaneers are thirsty for, and it is understandable as the last of their four in the PSL era years was won in 2012.
By the time the clock ticks towards the title-deciding dates in May, it will have been 13 years since their last league triumph, which came when Benni McCarthy was still playing. Should he deliver the league title, Riveiro will have good reason to stay on provided he gets a contract that he agrees to and becomes the club’s longest-serving coach. Only Rudi Krol has ever been able to complete three full seasons at Pirates, yet his contract was not renewed after lifting the treble in his third season.
However, for the Spaniard, this is his best opportunity to finally dethrone Sundowns and he could quietly be inspired by what Sir Alex Ferguson said in a quote with an unprintable word about knocking Liverpool off the top after the Reds’ dominant years. Riveiro is facing a similar task of knocking the Tshwane giants off their perch, where they have sat with comfort for seven years. Difficult? Yes.
Impossible? No. This is what Riveiro will be preaching as game number one of the new Betway Premiership campaign comes with the challenge of getting past Chippa United at Orlando (19:30). The bookmakers have placed Pirates as the most likely to win the league if it doesn’t stay at Chloorkop.
Yes, Riveiro has already won four cup competitions in his first two years and is in the final of another, but it is no secret that the league title is the priority. Over to you, Riveiro, and like the Ghost would say in his language: ‘ ..
