Pirates coach urge fans to support players

Makgopa was heckled by a part of the fans at Orlando Stadium during the recent all-draw with Polokwane City, who called for his substitution. And, ahead of Wednesday's match against Cape Town Spurs, the Spanish-born coach is looking for a different attitude from the fans.

"For a 23-year-old guy like Evidence, playing his first game for Pirates, it's important to feel that we support him. And when I say 'we' it's all of us - coaching staff, mates, and fans. So, it goes without saying that if the atmosphere is supportive it's going to be much easier for the guys. We are playing for a lot of young players nowadays, and it's important that we take care of them, that we protect them," said Riveiro.

Riveiro acknowledges with a club like Pirates, there is a lot of pressure on players to perform and deal with the expectations of the supporters. As proven by their treatment of Terrence Dzvukamanja last season.

"Whoever is playing the number nine position feel that we trust him, it's going to be much easier for him to score goals, to play good passes. But at the same time, we are all professionals, we have to handle the heat. The players always try to do the things as good as possible. 

"Last season we had a similar situation with one of our strikers. He came in, with 10 minutes to go, we were 1-1 here against Golden Arrows, and suddenly he scored a goal and gave us three points. And the people got more quiet. 

"Makgopa was very close to scoring the second goal [against Polokwane] which is a good signal that even though things were not easy for him, he continued trying. And he wants to show to everyone around that he's a good player, and has the level to play in that position for Pirates." 

This season, Pirates have drawn large crowds at Orlando Stadium. And Riveiro is fully aware that not all supporters show dissent towards players.