Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says the sudden cancellation of their game against Royal AM disrupted their preparation for their Nedbank Cup clash against Richards Bay. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says his team have been badly affected by the cancellation of their Betway Premiership clash against Royal AM earlier this week.
Riveiro was speaking ahead of the Sea Robbers’ Nedbank Cup clash against Richards Bay.
Pirates’ game against Thwihli Thwahla was called off due to the KwaZulu-Natal club’s financial woes that have seen the club taken over by the South African Revenue Services. This was done due to owner Shauwn Mkhize owing around R40 million in taxes.
Earlier this week, the PSL announced that Royal AM’s upcoming games – against Pirates and Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup – had been cancelled as the club had failed to give them reassurances over their financial troubles.
Speaking about the effect the cancellation had on his players, Riveiro said they had planned to stay in Durban for the entire week due to the two games in KZN.
“We couldn’t unfortunately, it wasn’t possible and again we have to change our schedule, it’s the second time this season, once again Cape Town City in Cape Town because of weather conditions, we had to play 24 hours later and find a way to stay focused," iDiskiTimes quoted the Spaniard.
“This time, it’s changing the plans a bit, we would have liked to play the game and fight for three points but it wasn’t possible and now we have to switch our minds and as I said before, it’s a final, in the Nedbank Cup you play final from the first day.
“Everyone wants to do well in these tournaments so it’s a permanent adaptation to schedule and circumstances, it’s football now in terms of planning and we don’t complain.”
Pirates’ Nedbank Cup game against Richards Bay is due to kick off at 3pm. The Soweto giants are the reigning champions having won the cup for the last two seasons.
IOL Sport