Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro remains steadfast in his commitment to the process over immediate results.
Its a philosophy that once again paid dividends as his side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against AmaZulu FC in the DStv Premiership over the weekend.
The Sea Robbers’ stellar form persisted as they claimed their fourth consecutive unbeaten match, positioning themself third on the league table following three wins and a draw. Throughout this impressive streak, they’ve netted 13 goals while conceding just four across both league fixtures and the Nedbank Cup.
Tshegofatso Mabasa became the hero of the day, securing the solitary goal in the 75th minute, while Abbubaker Mobara’s early dismissal in the 21st minute added an extra layer of challenge.
Riveiro, speaking after the match, emphasized his team’s dedication to their unique style of play: “Everybody wants results, but for us, it’s about playing the football we envision. We’re nearing the team we aspire to be, but there’s still room for improvement.”
Despite acknowledging a less organized performance compared to recent outings, notably the Nedbank Cup fixture against the same opponent and a resounding victory against Golden Arrows, Riveiro expressed pride in his team’s resilience and the clean sheet they secured.
Reflecting on the match, Riveiro commented, “It was a tough encounter, as expected. We were familiar with each other from our previous meeting just a week ago. Both teams approached the game tactically, making it a closely contested affair.
“While we may not have replicated our recent performances, I’m even more pleased today because of our competitiveness and the clean sheet.”
Looking ahead, Pirates face Royal AM at Harry Gwala Stadium on April 28, followed by a packed schedule including a trip to Cape Town to face Cape Town City FC in the league and a Nedbank Cup semifinal clash against Chippa United.
In the relentless pursuit of their footballing philosophy, Orlando Pirates continue to make waves, proving that commitment to process can lead to success on the pitch.