Will Riveiro Pursue Vengeance Against Magesi?

Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates, has expressed his gratitude for being appointed once again as the coach of the 2024 Carling All Stars team. He stated that he is committed to performing to the best of his abilities.

The Spanish coach has been entrusted with leading the fan-voted Carling Cup All-Star team in their upcoming match against the Carling Cup champions, Magesi FC, at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:30).

Riveiro, a fan favorite, will return to the dugout for a second time after guiding the All-Stars to victory over the first-ever Carling Cup champions, Stellenbosch FC, last season.

He expressed his appreciation while acknowledging the high expectations tied to his role, alluding to the clear mandate to excel.

“I am grateful, as I mentioned earlier, to be here. I strive to fulfill my responsibilities as best as I can for Orlando Pirates. I want to gain the respect of others while remaining true to myself, and I am excited to be chosen again. When people place their trust in you, the expectation is clear: to give your utmost during this short-term role,” said the Pirates coach.

As Riveiro prepares for the upcoming match, he faces an opponent that previously caused a stir by knocking his parent club, Pirates, out with a surprising 3-2 win in the competition’s first round, preventing him from claiming the only domestic cup that still eludes him since joining in 2022.

Despite the unfinished business with the Limpopo team, Riveiro maintains that he doesn’t see this match as a chance for revenge against the Carling Cup champions.

“I regard it as a different situation. Although they are the team that eliminated us, we were merely 45 minutes late to the game. It was a tough and unusual day, and I don’t view this as an opportunity for retribution,” asserted the 49-year-old.

The All-Stars coach discussed his goals for the upcoming game, saying, “Saturday will present an opportunity for the players to put on an exciting display, understanding that Magesi embodies what it means to function as a team. They pose a tough challenge, but I take pride in representing these players. We must ensure that they have the space and platform to showcase their skills and abilities on Saturday.”

The two-time Nedbank Cup-winning coach will spend the next three days in camp with a squad selected by fans from various PSL teams, including five young talents from the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).