Smiso Msomi
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has heaped praise on Madagascan side Disciples FC after a frustrating opening game in the CAF Champions League.
The Sea Robbers were not clinical enough to see off their less-fancied opponents in the preliminary round first-leg clash played in Mauritius on Sunday.
Riveiro saw his team spurn chances but they also rode their luck on occasion as the two teams failed to find the back of the net, setting up the second leg in South Africa this weekend well.
After an embarrassing exit from the competition last season, Riveiro and his team are determined to at least make the group stage of the continental tournament this time around.
Having already explained the importance of getting into gear as soon as possible this campaign, Pirates are seeking to win games and set themselves up nicely to compete in the critical rounds of various competitions.
Speaking to the club’s media department, Riveiro acknowledged that Disciples were on par with them in terms of levels of play and he was surprised to see the clash end goalless.
☠️ ⏪️ 𝗬𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗠 ⏪️
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 19, 2024
🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL
📆 18 August 2024
🏟 COTE D’OR NATIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX
⚽️ FT || Disciples FC 0 - 0 @orlandopirates
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OnceAlways #OrlandoPirates pic.twitter.com/aOmreBCQZ8
The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Monnapule Saleng and Tshegofatso Mabasa were all guilty of missing glorious chances.
“I think the opposition was excellent. Every result could’ve been possible today, both teams had very clear chances so it’s very strange that the game finished 0-0,” he said.
The Spanish Guitar did have some positives to take home, however, after seeing his team deny their opponents a goal. He also admitted that despite their home-ground advantage, he still expects a difficult encounter with Disciples having now had first-hand experience of their opponents.
“We couldn’t capitalise on our chances enough to get a goal advantage, too, but at least we go to the second leg and we didn’t concede, which is also very important, and in less than one week we have to finalise this round in Orlando,” said Riveiro.
“We know it’s not gonna be easy because they’re a very good team, we have to do everything to impose ourselves.”
Pirates were eliminated from the competition last season in the second preliminary round by Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy, an occurrence they’re desperate to avoid this time around.
☠️FT | Disciples 0 - 0 @orlandopirates
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 18, 2024
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#CAFCL#OnceAlways#OrlandoPirates pic.twitter.com/AI0LnXdNcG
It seems like a lifetime ago now since the last time Pirates made their mark in the CAF Champions League.
Despite their 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup final appearance, the Sea Robbers were last in the knockout rounds of the Champions League in 2012/13, where they were beaten in the final by Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Riveiro has set his ambitions on returning the club to those levels in his third season in charge and will look to keep this journey going by overcoming Disciples. The two teams will meet again at the Orlando Stadium on Friday at 7.30pm.