Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro, expects a difficult encounter against SuperSport United, as the Buccaneers begin their quest to defend their title in the MTN 8 quarter-final at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking to the media this week, Riveiro pointed out that his side failed to beat the Matsatsantsa last season adding that the Gavin Hunt-led side have some experienced players that know what the coach expects from them.
“We’re facing our first knock-out out and it’s a very difficult one because of the level of the opponent and it was difficult for us to play them last season, our last league in Orlando was against them and we could not manage to beat them,” The Spanish tactician said.
Riveiro, also added that The Sea Robbers considered SuperSport United a huge threat and that his side will be taking the game seriously.
“We consider them a big threat and we are going to take the game as seriously as we can.
“The coach has a big influence in the way they play and coach Hunt is still there and he is going to try to show a different team, a different picture” Riveiro added.
Orlando Pirates have become cup specialists under Riveiro and have won back-to-back MTN 8 titles, and will head to the game on Saturday with the aim to progress to the semi-finals to advance their quest to defend their title.
However, SuperSport will also be looking to pull off an upset to start the season on a high, setting up what promises to be an epic encounter against these two sides.
IOL Sport