In an unexpected twist this week, Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy, their second defeat of the season.

Despite the surprise result, Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro wasn’t shocked.

The loss, coming after Sundowns’ commanding 4-1 victory over Pirates just last weekend, raised a few eyebrows, but Riveiro remained unfazed, understanding the unpredictable nature of football.

Riveiro Highlights the Difficulty of Playing at Mbombela Stadium

Looking ahead to his team’s Nedbank Cup match against Baroka, Riveiro reflected on how challenging it is to face teams like Galaxy, particularly on their home turf.

“The league is a marathon,” Riveiro said during his media session. “It’s not just about one game.

There are good teams who are in great form right now, and sometimes things like this happen.”

Riveiro pointed to the difficulty of playing at Mbombela Stadium, noting that even last season, Galaxy was one of the toughest home teams in the league, second only to Sundowns themselves.

The win against Sundowns was a reminder of how any team can surprise on the day, regardless of the opponent’s reputation.

Riveiro Defends Sundowns’ Loss as Part of Football’s Nature

When asked about Sundowns’ unexpected loss, Riveiro emphasized that it’s a normal part of football.

“We are all playing back-to-back games,” he explained, referring to the rigorous schedule both Pirates and Sundowns face.

“Having an off day is human, and it’s part of the game.

Everyone has their ups and downs during the season.”

Pirates’ Focus Turns to Baroka as They Pursue Another Nedbank Cup Title

The focus now shifts to Pirates’ upcoming match against Baroka at Orlando Stadium.

Under Riveiro’s leadership, Pirates have enjoyed significant success, including winning five trophies so far, two of which were Nedbank Cup titles.

With another cup on the line, the big question remains: can Pirates claim yet another Nedbank Cup title this season?

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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