Jose Riveiro Not Surprised by Difficult Dondol Stars Victory!

Jose Riveiro Not Surprised by Difficult Dondol Stars Victory! The Buccaneers scraped past Chaba Refete over the weekend.

Orlando Pirates defeated Dondol Stars 5-4 on penalties in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday afternoon. Head coach Jose Riveiro was expecting a difficult encounter.

Dondol Stars 1:1 Orlando Pirates (Pirates win 5:4 on penalties) – Nedbank Cup Quarterfinals

The Buccaneers took the lead in the second half through Thembinkosi Lorch. Only a few minutes later Chaba Refete equalized through Tebogo Makungo.

Dondol Stars substitute Whitehead Nameka was the only player to miss his penalty as the Buccaneers progressed into the semi-finals.

“Yeah, not a surprise for me. It’s a cup game.” Riveiro told SuperSport TV.

“It’s different, its special. I think its what the people want as well, I hope the rest of the games [quarterfinals] are at the same levels of emotions and football.

“I think both teams tried as much as possible, with a different way to do it, I’d say. But in the end, we’re in the semi-finals.

“I think they controlled us quite ok in the first half. We had control but not in the areas where you can make a difference.

“But I think after 50 or 60 minutes we managed to break the way they have to defend, which is quite special, with individual markings. We had, absolutely clear chances.

“We get the lead, unfortunately we concede immediately after. But it’s a special game, these things happen.

“But we are happy.

“To be honest, I’m always positive and optimistic. I think the fact that we played a penalty shootout now and we win, its going to make us even stronger for the future, if we find ourselves in the same scenario, hopefully we’re going to play important games again this season.

“For me everything counts, all of the experiences that we have together, if someone was relaxed today thinking that the game was easy, probably won’t make the same mistake as well. So, positive lectures, always.” He concluded.

Man of the Match: Thabang Mnyembane (Dondol Stars). Jose Riveiro Not Surprised by Difficult Dondol Stars Victory!