CAFCL: Orlando Pirates' future bright despite Pyramids defeat - Riveiro

Photo Credit - Orlando Pirates Football Club.

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro insisted the club’s future remains positive despite their 3-2 defeat to Pyramids FC on Saturday, as they bowed out of the CAF Champions League.

Having played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg at FNB Stadium, Orlando Pirates bowed out of the competition as their unbeaten run came to an end on their return to the Egyptian capital.

Pirates took the lead in the 41st minute when Relebohile Mofokeng found the back of the net from a Deon Hotto cross, but Fiston Mayele equalised for Pyramids FC, sending the sides into the break level at 1-1.

Pirates regained the lead in the 52nd minute through Mohau Nkota, only for substitute Ramadan Sobhi to level matters again five minutes later. With extra time looming, Mayele struck once more – this time in the 84th minute – clinching the tie for Pyramids FC and securing a 3-2 aggregate victory to reach the final.

Despite their exit, Riveiro – who has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season – maintained that Orlando Pirates are in safe hands, with young players already stepping up to shape the club’s future.

“I think it's fantastic for the future, especially for the future of our young players who are already important players at 19, 20 years old, although they have a lot of things to improve and to keep proving that they are at the level. It's very good news for the club [...] the future is looking bright for Orlando Pirates,” Riveiro told SABC Sports.

The coach praised his "young, ambitious" squad, who have now gained a "year of experience in a competition like the Champions League". He added: "There are a lot of things not to celebrate today. Obviously today we are sad. We are not happy, but the future is looking nice for the club.”

“Before we started the group stage, I said we would come to the Champions League with the intention to grow – as a group, as football players, and as coaches. None of us had experience in this competition before, and we were playing regularly with very young players,” concluded Riveiro.

Pirates will now shift their focus to the domestic Nedbank Cup, where they will face rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the final on May 10.