Nedbank Cup: Pirates coach refuses to complain over piling fixtures

Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates

Ahead of Sunday’s Nedbank Cup semifinal clash against Marumo Gallants, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he cannot complain about fixture congestion as 'football is heading that direction'.

The Spaniard said this during a pre-match press conference for the Nedbank Cup encounter against the opponents who beat them 2-0 in the Betway Premiership game weeks ago.

Pirates will go into the semifinal meeting with Marumo Gallants five days after a grueling CAF Champions League quarterfinal, second leg meeting with MC Alger.

The Buccaneers played out to a goalless draw against the North Africans to advance to the semifinals. The continental assignment means that Pirates only have three days to train for the Nedbank Cup encounter in addition to the usual Betway Premiership assignments.

While other coaches complain for such a fixture jam, Jose Riveiro insists his job as coach is to just manage the situation.

“Obviously, we don't operate the way we would want any more as coaches due to the schedules. We had another game... there is no time for training and good preparations anymore. It is about making sure that the players are ready to go,” he told the press.

The coach admitted that the fixture congestion takes its toll on coaches even though they do not play the actual game.

“We also need a certain time to sit down, analyse and decide the way we want to face this new challenge. We try to take care of ourselves even though we are not running the kilometres every game,” he explained.

“It is our responsibility to find a way…there is no time. We have no excuse. The fact that we are playing too many games is a bit new for us. It is a consequence of being competitive, consistent and a competitive team. I will never complain about that because football is going this direction. We need to adapt and try to be competitive—no matter what.”

Pirates will switch to domestic action after sailing past MC Alger 0-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the CAF Champions League semifinal 1-0 on aggregate. They will now face Pyramids FC of Egypt in the last-four.