By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro refused to guarantee that the Buccaneers will be contenders for the CAF Champions League title.
The Buccaneers are back in the continent’s top-tier club competition they last won in 1995.
They have previously been a regular participant in this competition and came close to claiming a second title in 2013 after reaching the final.
But they remain a shadow of the 1995 crop that was crowned African champions and Riveiro now carries the task of helping the Soweto giants end the 28-year drought.
“I said it’s not smart from my side to make a statement about football in the continent,” Riveiro told the media.
“It will look like I’m an expert but I’m not. But I have had enough time to understand the complexity.
“Sometimes the complexity of the tournament does not come from what is happening on the field. It is much more.”
It is Riveiro’s first time to coach in the Champions League, having started working in Africa last year after stints in his home country Spain and Finland.
“I’m learning, trying to focus on things that I can help my players to look better and not lose concentration because of some external factors that happen around the games,” said the Spaniard.
“That’s maybe the most important thing for all of us, not only for me as a coach but for the whole team to focus on things we want to do which is to play football at our best
“We have to have a proper mindset for this competition because it requires a different mindset. There is a social difference as compared to our domestic league.”
Pirates have qualified for the Champions League second preliminary round following a 4-0 aggregate victory over Comorian side Djabal Club.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro and his assistant Segio Almenara
Image source: Orlando Pirates
