Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is gearing up for a challenging encounter against Stade d’Abidjan in their upcoming CAF Champions League fixture. The Buccaneers have had a solid start in the group stages, securing four points from two matches, placing them in a strong position alongside group leaders Al Ahly, who have a superior goal difference. While CR Belouizdad has accumulated three points, Stade d’Abidjan has yet to get on the board.
In his pre-match comments, Riveiro highlighted the tactical prowess of the Ivorian side, describing them as “rich tactically,” suggesting that they are a well-organized and formidable team. He pointed out that Stade d’Abidjan did not get the result they wanted in their opening match against CR Belouizdad, which ended in defeat. However, Riveiro knows the challenges of playing away from home in the CAF Champions League and is fully aware of how tough this match will be.
“It’s going to be a difficult away game. They didn’t perform well in their first match in Cairo, but we can’t take them lightly. They are tactically strong, and facing them in Abidjan is going to be a tough test,” said Riveiro, acknowledging that an away match is always demanding. Despite these challenges, the coach expressed optimism about the game, seeing it as an opportunity for his team to fight for all three points. “I’m looking at this fixture as a chance to secure three points, which would leave us in a great position after three games in the group stage,” he added.
The Pirates coach understands how crucial this match is in the context of the group, and securing a win would put the team in an excellent position with seven points by the end of the third matchday. Pirates’ strong start has already shown their intent to advance further in the tournament, and a win against Stade d’Abidjan would solidify their standing as one of the contenders in the group.
As Riveiro prepares his squad for the game, the anticipation grows, with many supporters hopeful that the team can continue its momentum and take a significant step toward advancing to the knockout stages.
