In what was news that made headlines in South African football in the last 24 hours, Orlando Pirates announced that Jose Riveiro will leave the club at the end of the season while they prepare to take on Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at 3pm (CAT, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
As mentioned, Bucs fans were left shocked after the club revealed that Riveiro will be heading toward the exit doors in the next couple of months.
Despite trailing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 15 points, Riveiro and his charges will take solace in the fact that they have four games in hand. Mathematically, Pirates are still within reach of winning the 2024/25 Betway Premiership crown.
Bucs will head into their next game on the back of a 1-0 win against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League, while they are unbeaten in their last three matches in the league.
Polokwane City ended their seven-match winless streak in the league last Sunday by bagging a 3-1 win against Richards Bay at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadiums.
As the surprise package of the 24/25 Betway Premiership season, Polokwane City currently occupy 6th in the table with 34 points to their name after 23 matches played.
WHAT WAS SAID
Speaking on his side’s recent win against the Natal Rich Boyz, Rise and Shine coach Phuti Mohafe expressed that the Polokwane side needed the confidence booster ahead of their game against the Soweto giants.
“It's a relief for us in a sense that we scored three and we've got three points [against Richards Bay]. With that mentality, I cannot say we have turned the corner, we will be lying to ourselves going to relax and forget we are playing a big match again at the weekend.
“I can say this win is a confidence booster going into the next match.”
Over in Soweto, Riveiro has called for his side to remain focused on the task at hand amid the announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
“My priority right now is on our upcoming match against Polokwane City. This is a tough match. A match that needs our undivided attention and focus,” Riveiro said.
“The time will come for me to express myself on the decision I have made but now isn’t that time because we have a job to do. The season is far from over and we have a lot of work to do between now and the end of May.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Polokwane City: Lebohang Nkaki – The versatile star played an important role in Polokwane City getting back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership last time out. After scoring a brace against Richards Bay, Nkaki will be full of confidence heading into the match against Pirates.
Orlando Pirates: Relebohile Mofokeng – As a player with skill, finesse and x-factor, Mofokeng has been an ever-present threat to opposing defences this season. With Pirates hoping to bag silverware this season, the talented youngster could well be the difference maker in games with high stakes in the next couple of weeks.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five league games
2019/20 Orlando Pirates 3-2 Polokwane City
2019/20 Polokwane City 1-4 Orlando Pirates
2023/24 Orlando Pirates 1-1 Polokwane City
2023/24 Polokwane City 0-1 Orlando Pirates
2024/25 Orlando Pirates 3-0 Polokwane City