Jose Riveiro: Fixture congestion not a problem for Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro isn’t overly concerned by the club’s intensive schedule as they prepare to face Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday.

While most clubs are gearing up for just their second Betway Premiership match of the new season, Pirates have already played seven times.

Riveiro’s charges are in the final of the MTN8, that takes place in October and have already progressed to the second round of CAF Champions League qualifying where they are 2-0 up from their first leg clash.

They also defeated Chippa United 2-1 in their opening 2024/25 league encounter, having come from a goal down.

It doesn’t get any easier for Bucs though as they take on Galaxy this weekend before turning their attentions to a league tie with Polokwane City on Tuesday.

Riveiro though is confident that Pirates can handle the fixture congestion.

He said in the Citizen: “We have more than enough two strong starting eleven, we have almost three and a half. That’s not a problem for us.

“As you could see, we managed to keep the starting line-up we had in Botswana except for [Thabiso] Monyane if I’m not mistaken.

“I think it’s important that we keep that consistency [in the starting line-ups]. But we also need to introduce [new] players because we’re playing every two, three days now and we have enough talent on the bench and the stands.

“If you look at the players that didn’t make the 20 [matchday squad], there’ll be time for them soon to be included in the matchday squad.”