Orlando Pirates coach hungry for more African Safari

The Buccaneers cruised to the first round with a 4-0 aggregate score in the two-legged ties. 

"I knew it, but now I really know. But, we are learning, trying to keep the focus on things that I can. [Like] help my players to look better and not lose concentration with external factors that used to happen around the games", said the Spain-born mentor. 

"That may be the most important thing for all of us. For the whole team to focus on the things that we like to do, which is to play football at our best and have the proper mindset for this competition because it requires a different one, I think," he claimed. 

Pirates' next CAFCL game will be against Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana, coached by South African Morena Ramoreboli. For the time being, Riveiro believes there isn't much of a tactical difference between this competition and local competitions. However, he acknowledges that may change as they progress.

Riveiro has used these two games to give players who haven't been getting enough game time an opportunity, and some, such as Katlego Otladisa, look to have impressed the coach. The Spaniard says the key is for players to stay ready for action at all times. 

“We accumulate 16 days not stopping. Playing, training, playing, training. So we have to use this squad as good as possible. You know that I'm not a big fan of the rotations. We rotate when the situation requires.

"I'd like to see that the players who are coming from, maybe, two or three weeks of not being on the field are performing in the right way. They are fit because they are training well.  It's a headache to have these quality guys and I have to choose 11 every two, three days, it's not easy, but I'm happy to have many different options for us,” he stated. 

Pirates have scored 14 goals in six matches in all competitions so far. Eight of these goals come from Bafana Bafana striker Zakhele Lepasa. However, the coach is looking for more.