Riveiro Faces Selection Dilemma as Injuries Mount for Orlando Pirates
As the fixtures pile up and injuries take their toll, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is facing a challenging task of managing his squad for both domestic and continental competitions.
Prior to their recent CAF Champions League match, the Buccaneers announced that Patrick Maswanganyi would not be able to travel to Algiers due to a quad strain injury. Maswanganyi joins a growing list of sidelined players including Olisa Ndah, Thabiso Monyane, Thabiso Sesane, Thabiso Lebitso, and Zakhele Lepasa.
After returning from Algeria, Pirates are gearing up to take on Polokwane City in a Betway Premiership clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
This upcoming match presents Riveiro with a selection dilemma as he weighs the option of resting key players for the second leg quarter-final against MC Alger or risking their fitness by fielding them in both games.
While progressing to the CAF Champions League semifinals is a top priority, securing a win against Polokwane City is equally crucial for Pirates as they aim to close the gap on log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns. The Buccaneers currently trail Sundowns by 15 points but have four games in hand.
Looking ahead to the clash with Polokwane, Riveiro is seeking a resilient display from his team similar to their hard-fought 1-0 victory over MC Alger. He emphasized the importance of the players’ determination and willingness to fight for the result in challenging circumstances.
“Scoring a goal was very important, and we did that, but we have to play 90 minutes at least in Orlando, and football is unpredictable. I think the second leg is going to be very equal, and hopefully, we can be better than them again,” Riveiro commented after the match against MC Alger.
In a potential boost for Pirates, Monnnapule Saleng could make his return to the matchday squad after a four-month absence due to undisclosed reasons.
As the season progresses, Riveiro will need to navigate the squad rotation carefully to ensure the team remains competitive on multiple fronts while managing the growing injury list. The upcoming fixtures will test the depth and resilience of the Orlando Pirates squad under Riveiro’s leadership.
