Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Richards Bay FC and Orlando Pirates at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on 29 September 2024
Gerhard Duraan, Backpages
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has spoken about the possible changes for the team for their Carling Knockout Cup match this weekend.
Pirates are finalising their preparations for the upcoming cup match against PSL newcomers Magesi FC without some of the important members of the squad, including defender Olisa Ndah and Thalente Mbatha who have become the latest players on the team’s injury list.
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As confirmed by the Buccaneers, Bandile Shandu, Tapelo Xoki, Goodman Mosele, Zakhele Lepasa, Thabiso Lebitso, Sandile Mthethwa and Ethan Visagie are some of the players who are still recovering from their respective injuries.
Despite the concerning situation of the long list of injuries, Riveiro says he is not having sleepless nights as he has a plan for replacements, including for Ndah who has been on top of his game and a pillar in defence alongside youngster Thabiso Sesane.
“We feel for them, for all of them, but not in a sense that it is a headache. We feel for them because football players want to be on the football ground, and they want to play games. Olisa was in an exceptional moment in his career and it’s a pity that he cannot be part of the team for the upcoming months. But we have solutions within the squad, (and) it’s not a headache in that sense,” said Riveiro, speaking to journalists during the Carling Knockout press conference at ABInBev Headquarters in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Read: Injury Update On Nine Pirates Players
“We have quality in the squad, enough to immediately find the player who is going to replace Olisa like it happened in the final (of the MTN8) already. Olisa didn’t play, we played an international player like (Nkosinathi) Sibisi. Tapelo (Xoki) is also coming back soon. We have our captain Innocent Maela, we have many players who can play that role,” the coach said.
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