Jose Riveiro blasts Old Peter Mokaba Stadium after Orlando Pirates' slim victory over Polokwane City - 'The state of the field is terrible, slow, bumpy, not a football ground'

Coach Jose Riveiro blasted the state of the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium after Orlando Pirates' 1-0 victory over Polokwane City on Saturday.

Nkosinathi Sibisi's goal won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) match for Bucs, but in the end, Riveiro was not a totally pleased man given the state of the match venue.

The Spaniard, whose exit at the end of the season has been confirmed, said the stadium should not host football games.

“I think it’s always ugly when you play at the Old Peter Mokaba; there’s only one way: the state of the field is terrible, slow, bumpy, not a football ground, so you have to find a way to not concede and be patient and wait for opportunities,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV.

Apart from expressing his frustration on the state of the pitch, the coach gave his post-match assessment and said the hunger for his players to win is not questionable.

“We had a lot of quality and opportunities this time; it came in a set piece, massive three points, so happy to collect three points because not everyone can do it against a very disciplined team that today was running an extra mile, happy with three points," Riveiro said.

“They want to win; they have been showing they want to win since day one this season; nobody can say the opposite; they wanted to win the game; we spoke at half-time; we felt it was coming; we had to be patient; we had to continue, and in one of those chances, one set piece or special situation, we needed to capitalise and we defended well.

“I don’t think we conceded a single goal chance, one action in a corner that managed to get the ball in, but above that, we did a fantastic job in a short space of time, but yeah, thinking already into the next [game]," he added.

“We’re playing every game at the limit, three more points; now we have to go to the Champions League, then another final in the Nedbank. Like I said before the game, it’s the consequence after being competitive since day one.

“These players, this group, this coaching staff—they are doing wonders this season; let’s continue until the end," Riveiro concluded.

The away win means that the gap at the top of the table between Bucs and Mamelodi Sundowns is now 12 points. The Sea Robbers have played three fewer games, and the victory on Saturday is another morale booster for the Soweto giants in the ongoing campaign.

They managed to register the victory in Polokwane days after seeing off MC Alger on their own turf in a Caf Champions League contest.

Pirates are contesting three titles this season, and Riveiro could have a great farewell should they lift all or any of them.

They will host MC Alger on April 9 before the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Marumo Gallants on April 13.

Their next PSL game will be on April 20, against struggling SuperSport United.