Orlando Pirates dealt Jose Riveiro blow ahead of important match as PSL title bid against Mamelodi Sundowns hots up

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro picked up his fourth yellow card during last weekend's dramatic Premier Soccer League 2-1 win over Cape Town City.

The Spaniard will watch from the Free State Stadium stands when his side take on Marumo Gallants on Saturday.

Mandla Ncikazi is likely to lead the Buccaneers bench.

It is not the first time for Riveiro to miss a match because of suspension in the PSL.

He was slapped with a two-match suspension in February 2023 after he was sent off during a Nedbank Cup game against All Stars.

Riveiro has been suspended at a time when Pirates are pushing to close in on log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers have 12 points fewer than Masandawana and they also have three games in hand, giving hopes of at one time overtaking the Brazilians.

Pirates will be hoping Riveiro's absence from the bench does not affect the team on the pitch other members of his technical team are expected to be firmly in control of proceedings during the match.

The Buccaneers continue preparing for Saturday's match with catching Sundowns in the title race a top priority.

They come up against Gallants who are struggling to clear off the relegation zone at position 14 on the standings.