Orlando Pirates' outgoing coach reveals how tactical tweaks helped secure three points against Polokwane City and kept their league title hopes alive- 'We changed a little bit like I said in the second half'

Orlando Pirates kept their league title hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Polokwane City thanks to a goal from Nkosinathi Sibisi. The victory reduced the gap to 12 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, with Pirates having three games in hand.

Jose Riveiro, who recently announced he would step down at the end of the season, spoke to the media after the match.

He explained how he made several positional changes during the game to gain control.

The Spaniard also shared how difficult it was to play on the surface at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Pirates had to adapt quickly to the game’s tempo and physicality.

The coach praised his players for showing composure under pressure and executing the plan well.

“We changed a little bit the way we were attacking behind Appollis in the first half in our right side,” Riveiro said as reported by iDiski Times.

“It’s a complex team to play against Polokwane City because they doing man-markings in the central corridor. They doing man-marking with the full-backs, so it’s difficult to find your key or the most talented players on the field with two seconds. You have one [second].

“The field is taking you half of that second that you have to be on the goal so, so you have to consider four or five seconds to control the ball make efficient," he added.

“We changed a little bit like I said in the second half. The position of Patrick [Maswanganyi] and the position of Rele [Mofokeng] and [Mohau] Nkota in order to have a different product in those balls we were playing behind the full-backs especially in the left-side when he was jumping to Deano [van Rooyen].

“I think it gave us more time in their half or more depth to at least to see them and have the possibility to rotate.

“And then the position of Tito as well. Nothing much, just more details," said the Spaniard.

“It’s like I said, there’s not much you can do here in this field and not putting yourself immediately in problems in transitions.

“I mean you can load more players even forward but you gonna pay. You can see they have [Mokibelo] Ramabu and Appollis are always ready to collect the first pass, and they do it very well. They have a fantastic connection among themselves and it’s diffcult to stop them.”

With 10 games still remaining, the title race is heating up as Pirates trail Sundowns by 12 points, the Buccaneers will need to win consistently while hoping Sundowns slip up.

A major twist could still unfold with the unresolved Royal AM case.

If Royal AM are expelled from the league, Sundowns might lose key points.

This situation could play into Pirates' hands and shift momentum in the title chase.

Both teams are now under pressure to maintain form in this crucial phase.

Pirates now turn their focus to the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Marumo Gallants.

The clash offers a chance to move closer to another silverware this season.

It will be a test of depth, strategy, and hunger for the Soweto giants.