Orlando Pirates will enter the highly anticipated Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) in an unfamiliar position, having suffered two damaging defeats – first in the CAF Champions League and then a league loss to Sekhukhune United.
Despite the setbacks of the past week, the Buccaneers remain mathematically in the title race.
Speaking ahead of yet another stern test against arch-rivals Chiefs, head coach Jose Riveiro expressed confidence that his team will remain focused and determined to end the season on a high.
They will be determined to hit back after going down 1-0 to Sekhukhune on Wednesday at Orlando Stadium.
“The mood in the camp is surprisingly good,” Riveiro said ahead of the match.
“FNB Is A Special Place For Me ” – Riveiro
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“We have just come from training, and I can tell you this season we have developed a capacity to overcome any obstacle.
“It will be one more derby for us, and there will be a lot of interesting things to see for both teams.
“It’s two teams that know each other well, and we know how difficult it is to be ourselves.
“The team that is able to get to that version of ourselves is going to be the one that gets the result they are looking for.”
The Spanish coach, who has been with the club for the past three seasons, emphasised that nothing has changed, even after their back-to-back defeats, and they will be aiming to hand Chiefs a second derby defeat this season.
“The pressure is normal – it comes with being part of a club like this, and especially when you’re playing in a derby,” he said.
“We understand the responsibility that comes with every game. There’s nothing new about that.
“We are a winning team and approach each match with the intention to win, while fully aware of the challenges that come with it.”
