Do Orlando Pirates have depth? Riveiro responds to Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Mngqithi

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi recently questioned the ability of Orlando Pirates to consistently stage a stiff challenge in all the competitions they are taking part in

This is after the Soweto Giants' good start to the 2024/25 campaign domestically and abroad.

The Sea Robbers started the new season with MTN8 crown and in the process became the first team to win the competition three times in a row.

They followed it up with a place in the Caf Champions League group stage after falling in the second preliminary round in the 2023/24 edition.

Despite a shock 3-2 loss against Magesi in the first hurdle of the Carling Knockout, Pirates have done well in the Premier Soccer League where they have collected five wins in a row.

Coach Jose Riveiro has now responded to the Mamelodi Sundowns coach on whether Bucs have the needed depth to go all the way, especially in the PSL.

"I think the team is getting mature, we show and the players show, this season they are really enjoying playing and that makes everything much easier," Riveiro said after Pirates' win over AmaZulu on Friday night.

"So far they are really focused in every game, you never hear them talking about the Champions League next month, or the big games we’re going to play. It’s always about the next opponent when you hear the players in the locker room and [training].

"They are always talking about what’s coming or what we did the day before. It makes you feel that they are getting more mature as a group and they know what it takes to achieve what we want to achieve at the end, which is always the next game that makes me feel confident and very optimistic about this group."

Pirates have gone for almost a decade without winning the Premier Soccer League and despite winning five Cups since 2022/23 campaign, the league remains their utmost priority.

It is up to Riveiro and his players to prove the doubters wrong and go all the way to lifting the PSL title and in the process end Masandawana's seven-season dominance.