'Leave while it is still nice' - Ngezana warned after league title win

Time for Liverpool to cash in on Anfield icon Salah

PSL Transfers & Rumours: Spurs release ex-Sundowns star again

Best Betting Sites for April 2024: Our Top 10 in South Africa

PSL Done Deals: City sign Namibia international Petrus

'Mokwena underrated local coaches, could have asked Pitso for advise'

Heavily-criticised Mokwena reveals Spurs & Liverpool contact

'Mthethwa is a scam & Saile won't score for four months! No Chiefs, no football in Mzansi'

'Like PSG, Downs only dominate domestic football, Mokwediola doesn't trust himself'

Mokwena uncertain about his future at Downs? - 'I don't run the club'

PSL Wrap: Pressure mounts on ex-Pirates coach as CT City drop points again

Winners & Losers: Hunt in tears as Rayners sends Chiefs message 

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Pirates are third on the table </li><li>Bucs trailing Downs by 15 points </li><li>Why Riveiro is not sure </li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Riveiro gives up on PSL title chase! Orlando Pirates set to continue with league drought - 'Bucs are competing with points machine, they don't lose'

Premier Soccer League

Cape Town City FC

Orlando Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

At the beginning of the season, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/have-orlando-pirates-blown-the-psl-title-race-already-mamelodi-sundowns-to-walk-to-a-seventh-championship/blt4d11d20e0fa45a19" target="_blank">Orlando Pirates were expected to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League title</a>. Having finished second in the 2022/23 campaign, with the signings made plus a good pre-season, Bucs were seen as a real deal. However, they are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/premier-soccer-league/table/yv73ms6v1995b5wny16jcfi3" target="_blank">currently 15 points behind leaders Masandawana</a> despite playing three more games, and coach Jose Riveiro explains why.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"We can still talk about [Pirates'] consistency until the end of our lives but that's not the only thing to talk about," Riveiro told the media."We see the top of the log, you are competing against a point machine right now a team that didn't lose even one game in the last 40-something games."Usually, you win the title in [South Africa] with 60 points, right? Probably you know better than myself, so we got 54 but again we are competing with a point machine, they don't lose," he added."Probably, we are going to pass that number... we are trying but it's difficult to get close for many, many different reasons but we are getting there."

WHAT RIVEIRO SAID

From the above explanation, it is obvious the Spaniard has given up on chasing the Brazilians for the PSL title. The Rhulani Mokwena-led team have won the last six league crowns in a row.However, having won the MTN8 title, Riveiro can push for the Caf Champions League place and try to successfully defend the Nedbank Cup. If he manages to achieve that, then he can fancy his chances of helping the Sea Robbers push for the league in the 2024/25 campaign.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Stellenbosch, Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, TS Galaxy, Cape Town City, Golden Arrows, and Sekhukhune United all have a chance to finish second on the table.To beat them, Pirates have to ensure they are consistent; Bucs are currently third on the table with 37 points, two less than second-placed Stellies.

WHAT NEXT?

Riveiro gives up on PSL title chase! Orlando Pirates set to continue with league drought - 'Bucs are competing with points machine, they don't lose' | Goal.com South Africa

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes Bucs can&apos;t catch runaway PSL leaders Mamelodi Sundowns this season.

Riveiro gives up on PSL title chase! Orlando Pirates set to continue with league drought - &apos;Bucs are competing with points machine, they don&apos;t lose&apos;

Editors' Picks