Defender Sandile Mthethwa says Orlando Pirates will dedicate the Nedbank Cup to head coach Jose Riveiro should they beat Sekhukhune and opened up about on the Spanish mentor's influence.
Riveiro has received plenty of plaudits for resurrecting a Pirates side that finished sixth on the DStv Premiership last season, to finishing second in his first campaign with MTN8 trophy in arm and securing a return to the CAF Champions League.
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One of the Spaniard's most praised qualities has been the ability to get the best out of his players, and Mthethwa has opened up on the 47-year-old's man-management.
"We are going to win the Nedbank Cup for him," Mthethwa told journalist on Tuesday.
"Coach Riveiro has done a good job on all the players, he always wants one hundred percent. He's that coach that will only give you chance if you work hard, if you don't, you won't '[play].
"Individually, I think he's really helped me because he told me I should be a hard worker, I should wait for my chance.
"He believes in me, he struts me. when to the other who normally play are not available to pay, I'm there.
Kushubile ???Sandile Mthethwa towers to give Tse Ntsho the lead for the second time in the match with seven minutes left ??#NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/eS5ev24DVp
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) May 6, 2023
"He also doesn't put a lot of pressure on me because he believes in me. Whenever I'm not selected on the team it is because he has choses the other guys and that's the quality that we have in the club."
All eyes will be on Mthethwa on Saturday as Pirates take on Sekhukhune United in the final of the Nedbank Cup at Loftus Versfeld.
The tall centre-back has been the hero of the competition for Pirates, scoring the winning penalty in the last 16 against Dondol Stars before scoring the winner again in the semi-final against Kaizer Chiefs.
Kick off is at 18:00.
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