We are cooking - Jose Riveiro

The Buccaneers beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a pulsating clash at the Mbombela Stadium to hand the Spanish mentor his fourth major trophy in two years since taking charge of the Soweto giants.

Riveiro says the group is capable of raising the bar.   

"If you ask me as a person who's involved in the group every single minute and I know what we are, what you used to say here 'cooking'. We are cooking, I think the progression, the evolution of the team, this season is superior than the last season in my opinion," Riveiro said.

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The 46-year-old finished runners-up in the DStv Premiership behind Sundowns, clinching the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies in his maiden year.

Pirates have ended the current campaign in similar fashion, but Riveiro insists they’ve done it with a lot more finesse.

"That means 8/10 or 7 and a half, I don't know, it might be our fans the ones who will in the end and you guys judge the work that we do but me because my position maybe an important part in the group, like I said before the final this season in terms of football is better than the last season," the coach explained.

On beating Sundowns for the second time in a cup final this season, Riveiro thought their nervy start to the match almost cost them.

"A really bad beginning of the games from our side, it takes a lot of time for us to be connected with the rhythm that Sundowns apply in the first 15/20 minutes. I don't know maybe a little bit nervous but not comfortable. Due to that domination in the beginning, they got a penalty, they got an opportunity to get the lead. I think one more time Sipho [Chaine] was fantastic at that time."