Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro celebrated another successful defense of the Carling Black Label Cup with All Stars XI, securing a commanding 3-0 win.
The victory over the weekend was highlighted by a brace from Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge striker, Naledi Hlongwane, and a goal from Samkelo Zwane.
Reflecting on the match, Riveiro emphasized the pivotal role of his players’ talent. “In the end, the key is the talent of the players. They started very well; we had a bigger advantage early on, which made it much easier to control the game until the end,” he said to reporters.
Riveiro also praised the collective effort of his team and staff. “Congratulations to the players. It was amazing to spend time with them during these three days. The technical staff, coaches Avengelos, Davis, Johnson, and the whole technical team, had a good time.
“Thank you to Carling for giving these young players a chance to showcase their talent, hopefully for many more years.”
The scoreline was set in just 25 minutes, a fact Riveiro was particularly pleased with. “3-0 in 25 minutes, obviously, I’m happy. Hopefully, every game could start like this in the future as well.
“But overall, it was a good performance; the fans who came here today had an opportunity to enjoy good football in some moments, and I’m happy with the results.”
Voted to lead the All Stars XI for the second consecutive season, Riveiro attributed his popularity among fans to his association with Orlando Pirates. “I think it’s a result of many things together. Obviously, being part of a big institution like Orlando Pirates helps a lot.
“We have a crazy fan base behind us, and the South African people at least respect our job. It’s nice to feel that people appreciate you and give us this opportunity,” he explained.
Riveiro’s faith in youth was evident as he continued to promote young talents like Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota at Orlando Pirates.
“I like good players, talented players. If he’s young, if he’s 18, 23, if the player is prepared and good enough, like I’ve said several times, age shouldn’t be a problem,” he added, showcasing his philosophy on youth development in football.