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Riveiro calls on the Ghost to rally behind Pirates

football17 September 2024 11:20| © Backpage TXT
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Jose Riviero @ Getty Images

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is backing their supporters to play an important role again this season as they prepare for the Betway Premiership visit of Chippa United to the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

'The Ghost' have already come out in their droves to watch the Buccaneers reach a third consecutive MTN 8 final, while they saw Riveiro's side demolish Disciples 4-0 in the CAF Champions League preliminary first round second leg in Johannesburg.

Pirates defended their MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup titles last season and made a late charge in the league to snatch second place from Stellenbosch to qualify for Africa's elite club competition.

The top-flight campaign only kicked off last weekend, but the Sea Robbers have already played six competitive games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two in all competitions.

Chippa showed a marked improvement in the league after Kwanele Kopo and Thabo September jointly took over the reins in January and they looked on course to secure a top-eight finish.

However, the Chilli Boys struggled for results in the final month, losing three of their last five matches to finish five points outside the MTN 8 places in 12th position.

Kopo has since been appointed head coach for the 2024-25 season, with September serving as his assistant going forward as the Eastern Cape club set their sights to challenging higher up the table.

What was said:

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

"I think our fans are very smart, they know the kind of football they want to see. They also listened to our message, they are coming in numbers right now, they want to see our players shining each and every game, they want to see the team looking for the goal from the beginning until the end.

"That's what we try to do, our intention for the game is difficult, sometimes impossible, but we can feel that they are 100 per cent behind the boys. It's been very helpful in the last few games of last season and this season so far.

"We just have to continue to show the same level of commitment, the same level of love and passion for the game. That's going to be enough for them to follow us all the way and make sure they play an important role for us this season."

Players to watch:

Orlando Pirates - Tshegofatso Mabasa spearheaded Bucs' push for CAF Champions League football last term, scoring 10 times in his last 10 outings to clinch the Golden Boot after beating out Iqraam Rayners by one goal (16). The 27-year-old striker bagged a brace against Chippa in the corresponding fixture four months ago and scored in the last two outings against Cape Town City and Jwaneng Galaxy.

Chippa United - Azola Matrose is back in the Eastern Cape after returning to the Chilli Boys on a permanent basis in August. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder earned a move to Pirates in July 2022 after some eye-catching displays for Chippa, but was immediately loaned back to his former club. Things didn't work out for the youngster at Mayfair though, due to a leg injury which sidelined him for the better part of the 2023-24 campaign and he's hoping to revive his career with his hometown club.

Head-to-Head: (Previous Five League Meetings)

Matches - 5

Pirates wins - 2

Chippa wins - 1

Draws - 2

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