Orlando Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro praised his players after their 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows on Tuesday night despite resting key players, believing it clearly demonstrates the club’s squad depth.
The Sea Robbers were missing several key starters, including Sipho Chaine, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa and Mohau Nkota, who came in as a substitute in the 74th minute.
Melusi Buthelezi was on the goals for Chaine while Yanga Madiba, Karim Kimvuidi and Boitumelo Radiopane got their first league start.
Kimvuidi’s impressive showings won him the Man of the Match award.
Patrick Maswanganyi, who missed out on the Soweto Derby during their 2-1 victory on Saturday, returned to the starting line-up.
He netted the opening goal before the home side equalised in the 59th minute. Tshegofatso Mabasa, who came in the 62nd minute, scored the winner to ensure that the Buccaneers kept their Betway Premiership title hopes alive.
Riveiro admitted that they prepared for the game, understanding the busy schedule ahead of them with the Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs on the horizon and a series of Betway Premiership matches to follow.
Pirates have a backlog of league matches that were postponed while they were participating in the CAF Champions League tournament.
“Obviously, we prepare for the week not only with our eyes on the final, but we have to play two games this week, we have only three days between the games. So, we try to control situations that we can control,” said Riveiro in the post-match press conference.
The Spanish coach admired the talent in his squad, adding that managing to get the job done with a number of first-timers in the starting lineup reflects the quality of his players.
“So today it was the time for players like Radiopane, Yanga Madiba, Karim Kimvuidi to play for the first time in the PSL, in the starting eleven, it was the second (start) for Melusi (Buthelezi) and it’s a clear proof that that we have an interesting depth in our squad.
“Since day one, we managed to compete in every competition with much more than dignity, in my opinion, we’re going to do it until the end. I think the group right now is happy, there’s a lot of players healthy, ready to go and fighting to be in the starting 11,” he concluded.
The Buccaneers return to Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday to battle arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs for a chance to lift their third Nedbank Cup trophy in succession.