Spanish coaching influence on spotlight as Riveiro meets Martin

Riveiro was speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

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Usuthu are coached by another Spaniard and Riveiro’s countryman Pablo Franco Martin and it’s not every day that two Spanish coaches come up against each other in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

With more than 3000 coaches with UEFA Pro Licenses in Spain, Riveiro says coaching outside the country becomes the next option.

''I don't know, I think we have more than 3000 coaches with Pro Licenses in Spain. That's the only thing you need to coach abroad, obviously there's no space for everyone. It is a challenge to go abroad, language is also an obstacle. 

You need to convince people from a different country on what you think is the best way to play,'' said Riveiro.

Riveiro comes from a background of having coached in the Celta Vigo academy and Martin was at some stage an assistant coach at the European giants Real Madrid. Vicente Del Bosque’s team of 2010 was built more around the FC Barcelona-dominated squad of Tiki-Taka and this is the brand of football that is expected from the Spanish coaches.

''We are a football country, we love football in Spain. The 2010 world cup here in South Africa opened more doors for us,'' added Reveiro.

As Pirates looks forward to their next clash against AmaZulu, a team they have not lost to in more than a decade today, there are serious concerns about injuries to their centre-backs.

Bafana Bafana internationals Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thapelo Xoki are suspended and injured and so is the Nigerian international Olisah Ndah.

But Riveiro says he’s not short of centre-backs as he counts Sandile Mthethwa and Thabiso Sesane.

''No, we have about seven centre-backs in our squad, so we are still alright, we will play with two - it's not going to be a problem for us,'' he concluded

Pirates teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng gets himself into the right positions during the attacking moves but his numbers offensively have not been impressive.

He’s currently on three goals and four assists after 28 matches but Riveiro says Mofokeng’s contribution to their game goes beyond the numbers.