Orlando Pirates Aim to Maintain Winning Momentum Without Riveiro on the Bench

Orlando Pirates will look to continue their strong form despite head coach Jose Riveiro’s absence in their upcoming fixture against Marumo Gallants. The Buccaneers secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Cape Town City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, boosting their points tally to 36. However, they still trail league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points, as Sundowns cruised to a dominant 4-1 victory over TS Galaxy on the same day.

Upcoming Clash Against Marumo Gallants

Pirates now turn their attention to a crucial away fixture against struggling Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein. Gallants have been in turmoil, recently parting ways with coach Dan Malesela following a series of disappointing results. This instability could present Pirates with a prime opportunity to capitalize and secure another important win.

Riveiro’s Absence

A key storyline heading into the fixture is the absence of head coach Jose Riveiro, who received his fourth yellow card of the season against Cape Town City, ruling him out of the match. This marks the first time in over 100 games since his arrival in 2022 that the Spanish tactician will not be on the sidelines directing his team.

Riveiro has been a crucial figure in Pirates’ tactical setup, and his absence raises questions about how the team will adapt without his guidance. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if the Buccaneers can maintain their momentum despite this setback.

Heated Exchange with Officials

Riveiro’s absence comes amid reports of a heated exchange with fourth official Akhona Makalima during the match against Cape Town City. According to insiders, the disagreement stemmed from the amount of added time in the closing stages of the match.

“The coach wasn’t too pleased about the time added in the closing stages of the match. He may have been asking about that, and it wasn’t too much of a confrontation really, but one of those moments where in tough matches it can be like that,” a source revealed.

Looking Ahead

With Pirates looking to close the gap on Sundowns, the upcoming fixture against Marumo Gallants is crucial. Fans will be eager to see how the team responds without their influential coach on the touchline. A victory would not only sustain their momentum but also keep their slim title hopes alive.