Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says it’s difficult to compete with Mamelodi Sundowns because they don’t lose games, calling them a “points machine”.
Sundowns last lost a league match in September 2022, when they were defeated by their arch-rivals SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Since then, the Tshwane giants have gone 44 league matches unbeaten, which is a new record in Premier Soccer League history.
Meanwhile, Pirates are in the battle for second place, currently sitting in third with 37 points – two behind Stellenbosch FC who have a game in hand.
With many expecting Pirates to challenge Sundowns for the league title in 2023/24 after winning a domestic cup double also lifting the MTN8 earlier in the campaign, Riveiro finds himself questioned about the club’s consistency.
“I explained it already, last season as well – if you want to go to the past, we can go to the previous season, we’ve got 54 points. Usually, you win the title in South Africa with 60, right? Probably you know better than me,” Riveiro replied when asked about his club’s consistency.
“Yes, so we got 54. But again, we are competing with a points machine, they don’t lose.
“I don’t know whether we are going to finish this season probably, we’re going to pass that number [54 points], I’m really sure that we can do it, we can be close.
“But again and then you can analyse the reasons why, it’s your part of the business again.
“We’re trying [to challenge Sundowns] but it’s difficult, it’s very difficult to get close for many different reasons, it’s very difficult to get close but we’re getting there.
“Did you see the game yesterday [vs Spurs]? They don’t lose, it’s difficult.”
For the coming weekend, Pirates shift their focus to the Nedbank Cup where they will face AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
