Jose Riveiro eases Orlando Pirates fears following Olisa Ndah injury

Ndah has been ruled out "for the rest of the year" after suffering a tibia fracture in their 3-0 victory over Polokwane City last month, with many concerned over the Buccaneers' potential defensive frailties.

Ahead of their last 16 Carling Knockout game against Magesi FC on Saturday, Riveiro noted how they already showed they could cope without the towering centre-back in the recent MTN8 final.

"Again, the fact that Olisa is not going to be around for a long time is something that we cannot change, so people who are taking care of him and our other injured players are all working to make it possible that they are back as soon as possible," said Riveiro.

"But our minds are on the players who are available, and the players who can [step in], and they are ready as they showed in the [MTN8] final."

Riveiro says players like Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi have already shown they are ready to step in when they are called up, and he has faith in them.

"As in the case of Nkosinathi Sibisi delivering a good performance in the final, it talks a lot about the readiness within the squad, both conditionally and mentally, to immediately perform," added the Spaniard.

"That's one of the strengths in our squad, and we're going to find a way to continue being a team that is not depending on one or two players.

"It doesn't matter who is on the pitch, we try to play the same type of football, with the same intention, same mentality, and that's the meaning of the word 'team'.

"So we're trying to be that team that doesn't miss anybody, even though we would like to have everybody available for selection – that's not a discussion."

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