HERMAN GIBBS
Fresh from their walk in the park against Madagascan amateurs Disciples FC, MTN8 juggernauts Orlando Pirates will arrive in the Mother City today with their sights set on a third successive title.
Pirates hardly raised a sweat in Orlando en route to a 4-0 win over the Indian Ocean islanders in a CAF fixture that was an ideal hit-out for today’s MTN8 clash against Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium.
“It’s an opportunity for us to become more mature. We cannot hide ourselves right now. Every football fan is watching us because no one else is playing in South Africa.”
Over the past two weekends when Pirates played Champions League preliminaries, coach Jose Riveiro fielded different squads to secure playing time for his squad. This ensures that the players are fighting fit to lead Pirates’ title tilt.
Pirates have won the MTN8 three times in the past four seasons and after their MTN8 opening round 3-1 win over SuperSport United they sounded a championship warning. Tshegofatso Mabasa, Relebohile Mofokeng and Monnapule Saleng all delivered solid performances, and the trio could provide the thrust of Pirates’ game plan against City.
Riveiro is stoked by the three outings his players have been exposed to because it has prepared his players for the City clash.
“The players are doing a good job. They managed to get the results. They are giving us another opportunity to reach the MTN8 final and the team can play in the next CAF preliminary round again,” said Riveiro.
“I think it’s good for the squad’s maturity and that’s what we need to capitalise on the first three games of the season.
“It’s a strange season right now. We have played three ‘finals’ already and the league hasn’t even started. Football has not even started for most PSL teams.
“It’s an opportunity for us to become more mature. We cannot hide ourselves right now. Every football fan is watching us because no one else is playing in South Africa.”
☠️ 🏆🏆 #𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦 🏆🏆
One. More. Time.
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#MTN8CHAMPIONS#NedbankCupChampions#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/tkYnu1Jk4d
Riveiro believes the MTN8 and Champions League matches that the club has already played will prepare the squad for the challenges ahead.
“We have to take every game for what it is, an opportunity to grow,” said Riveiro. “It can only help them to be better players in the future, and it can only help us be a better team in the future.”
Riverio’s selection options will be curtailed because Bandile Shandu and Thabiso Lebitso are nursing injuries. New signing Deano van Rooyen is cup-tied after he played for Stellenbosch in the quarter-final against Galaxy.
The central midfield berth could be filled by the returning Miguel Timm who has recovered from injury, although Riveiro may opt to ease into the action in the second half. In that case, Makhehleni Makhaula will be in the starting line-up.
Cape Town City have never won an MTN8 match against Pirates and will be looking for their first.
In their 18 encounters across all competitions, Pirates have the upper hand, winning six matches compared to City’s four. The remaining eight encounters ended in draws.
The 18 matches have yielded a total of 40 goals, averaging 2.22 goals per game. Pirates have outscored City, netting 22 goals (1.22 per game) while City have managed 18 (one goal per game).
Pirates have claimed wins in their past three meetings with Cape Town City in the league.
This winning streak began with a 2-1 home victory during the 2022/23 season, followed by a 2-0 win at home and a 2-0 away triumph in completing the league double last season.