Jose Riveiro presents case amid intense Orlando Pirates schedule

Stakes are becoming increasingly high for most teams looking to achieve their targets by the end of the campaign, with Pirates – like Mamelodi Sundowns – currently juggling ambitions across the Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League.

Facing SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on Saturday will be their 34th game of the season, and Riveiro says winning also helps to address the mental load on the players as they spend less time on the training pitch.

"I think we are exploring a new space for all of us – first of all, the competition is going to a point where you don't really have time to train anymore," said Riveiro.

"The time you spend on the field with the players, once the competition starts, it's not enough, in terms of making us feel satisfied as coaches, with the time nowadays to spend with the players on the field.

"Because the players are really [stretched] – and it's not only physically but also mentally – and results are important right now, we are regularly winning games, so it helps a lot for the players to be ready for the next one.

"It's so difficult to go through this schedule if you are not getting good results, that I think is the first element to highlight – I don't know if I'm expressing myself well today, I didn't sleep so much. 

"But winning helps a lot in terms of mentally, for sure, and also to buy the players to follow all the processes we put in practice at the clubs, which I think we are all doing pretty much the same things nowadays."

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso recently shared similar sentiments, and The Buccaneers mentor further suggested that conversations should be held in a more suitable platform to alleviate the mental strain on players and technical staff.

"We, as coaches, have to make sure we get enough time to rest mentally – we are not running [physically], but trust me, the games are tough for us too," he added.

"But it's something to, maybe in a different space or context, talk about because the schedule right now, having to compete every two days – trust me, it not only belongs to the physical space, for me the mental side is much more important.

"Playing for Pirates is not an easy thing, there's a certain level of pressure in every game that a player must handle, and not having time between the games is not––you pay a decent bill in every game.

"I don't know if it makes sense what I'm saying, or if I'm expressing myself correctly, but yeah, we're trying everything as a club, we're trying everything as a coaching staff to make sure the show can continue."

READ: Jose Riveiro: Mamelodi Sundowns gap is dangerous