Ahead of their all-important MTN8 title defense against the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is delighted to have the core of his squad back in full training.
The likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Kabelo Dlamini and Makhehlene Makhaula, amongst others, will be available for selection on Saturday.
It goes without saying that the Sea Robbers will be under pressure to deliver on the day and get back to winning, having lost four games on the trot – with one of their defeats coming against Sundowns in a DStv Premiership recently.
Riveiro has since admitted that he will have a good selection headache and he couldn’t have asked for a much better timing for the return of his star players.
“I am glad to I will be having many players available to select from on Saturday,” Riveiro told Sunday World during a press briefing at Rand Stadium on Tuesday.
“We have a big squad, not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of quality. It gets complicated at times because it’s always a difficult task selecting the starting 11 from the kind of squad that I have.
“So, I am a lucky coach to have this kind of material to select from in my hands, therefor I cannot complain.”
In the last four games, the Buccaneers have only managed to find the back of the net once – a scrappy goal which came against Jwaneng Galaxy in the Caf Champions League preliminary rounds second leg, when the ball bundled over by third choice striker Evidence Makgopa.
Striker Kermit Erasmus, who recently returned from injury, reiterated the words of Riveiro, saying the return of Lorch, Pule and other creative players will hand them a massive boost against Sundowns.
“It’s always good to have the selection of a full squad, with players that will give you a lot of different things, qualities and complete some pieces of the puzzle,” he said.
“So, I’m sure that the coach is excited about that, and it will all go down to a good performance on the day and executing the plan.”
The two giants will be crossing swords at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off time is at 6pm.
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