Riveiro opens up on Pirates mission

Orlando Pirates new head coach Jose Riveiro has opened up on his mission after arriving in South Africa with no prior history on the African continent.

The Spaniard, who previously worked for two years in Finland as a manager - prior to which he served as an assistant for two-and-a-half years, was appointed the Buccaneers™ new mentor a little over a month ago.

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Speaking of the team™s preparations at the launch of the upcoming 2022/23 DStv Premiership season on Thursday, he described their latest pre-season camp as a success while outlining his understanding of the environment he has introduced himself into.

"It's new for me and my coaching staff too. Being here now for a month, it's been a very profitable month, I have to say. We are trying to grasp as much as we can about the football culture and trying to know our strengths as a team," said Riveiro.

"So far so good, we are really happy with the outcome from the camp for the last 11 days and we feel that we are much better.

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"Of course, I didn't know so much about the South African league but Pirates is one of the teams that even in Europe we know as one of - if not the - most charismatic teams on the continent, so it's not a surprise for me.

"I'm aware of the expectations and how much the fans are wanting to touch one trophy soon, so we accept it and we are trying to prepare ourselves as well as possible for every game, and if we do it well at the end of the season we will see results."

By Chad Klate