Orlando Pirates internationals behind team’s perfect run - Jose Riveiro

Pirates are already in the MTN8 final and progressed to the CAF Champions' League group stages for the first time in five years. 

As they resume their Betway Premiership programme against Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium this afternoon, Riveiro is counting on that same experience to carry them through.

"We have an interesting group of young and talented players, a bunch of winners, they want to continue improving and winning, and having the opportunity to play in this type of tournament, let's put in value," said Riveiro.

"The African Champions League is an interesting tournament against quality opponents, in tough games, so every pinch of experience will count.

"And our players going to their national teams, [those] playing in AFCON a few months ago, it's something that we can always capitalise on as a club and a group.

"The talent is there, the quality is there, we only need to keep going and accumulate experiences together, and the future will be fine."

Pirates' defensive organisation has drastically improved in the Champions League, having yet to concede a single goal in the competition. 

Riveiro says the four clean sheets are a testament to the excellent work they have put in to improve the different phases of their game.

"It's about concentration, it's about commitment, and I think in the four games we haven't conceded so many chances, whether through set-pieces or even throw-ins, so the challenge was there and the team's answers were exceptional," he added.

"And it goes without saying, in knockout games and these types of competitions, we have the capacity to defend well and protect one result and the lead, and it's collective work – everybody commits in the defensive phase.

"We need to improve a lot, trust me, there's still a lot of room to improve and also to defend less, so that we spend more time on the ball."

READ: Riveiro takes Pirates back to Champions League group stages