Jose Riveiro defended for his non-rotation policy - 'If we’re being brutally honest, that was the best XI against Mamelodi Sundowns'

Orlando Pirates have been doing relatively well in the ongoing season across all competitions.

After winning the MTN8, they are in the Caf Champions League quarter-final and the Nedbank Cup's Round of 16.

On Saturday, they failed to show their Premier Soccer League title ambitions after falling 4-1 against the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Some fans questioned Riveiro's continuous use of the same players despite the many matches they have played.

They argue it is one of the reasons why the Buccaneers have been struggling in recent games.

However, the club's former striker Katlego Mashego believes the Spaniard is using the players available effectively.

He argues that injuries have done more harm than good to his tactics and plans.

“The coach believes in a certain 11 or about 12 to 13 players and he always does that. Judging from what I’ve seen, he’s not a big fan of rotation and I think when he rotates or when he brings the other players that are in the squad, he feels or he knows that the team is not gonna be the same," he told Game On

“So, if we’re being brutally honest, that was the best Orlando Pirates 11 that was available on the day because you had [Thalente] Mbatha who was suspended and [Olisa] Ndah is out injured, [Thabiso] Sesane also is out for various reasons.

“I think that was the best 11 players that were available for Orlando Pirates on the day. I don’t think they could’ve went to their bench or went to take one or two players that were not in the squad to start the game.

“That was the best available Orlando Pirates 11," Mashego concluded.

Pirates' attention will be on defending their Nedbank Cup crown when they play Baroka in the Round of 16.

Coach Riveiro might opt to give fringe players a chance to prove their worth to the team.