Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has thrown a challenge to the media on why they are not consistent enough to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the DStv Premiership title.
The Buccaneers have blown hot and cold this season, with their campaign summarized by a statement from Riveiro that they played better against Moroka Swallows, in a 1-1 draw, than they did against Golden Arrows, where they won 7-1.
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"I think we played better against Swallows than against Golden Arrows. How can you explain that, after a 1-1 and a 7-1? You (the media) can do it. The focus from your side is always the result and sometimes for the people watching football but not for us," he said in a pre-match press conference ahead of their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against AmaZulu FC.
"We're not far, we're there. We're replicating performances and then results are results. Do you want me to analyze why we didn't win the game against Swallows? I told you the same after the press conference, it's your side, it's your part of the business, it's not mine," emphasised the coach.
Well, one of the major reasons Pirates may be struggling for consistency and consequently find it difficult to compete with Sundowns, is the variety of the squad quality.
The Brazilians have not only raised the bar in collecting points, but the quality of their squad has the variety of overseas players, particularly the South Americans, who bring a different mentality.
In comparison, Bucs have largely remained the same in the way they acquire new signings and have not gone beyond their comfort zone to shock their system with players from overseas countries, let alone make serious marquee signings.
There has been a lot said about the big budget that Sundowns has, but that's not an excuse because, for example, Kaizer Chiefs signed Venezuelan Edson Castillo, a top talent, on a free transfer, which shows that the effort in the scouting department, from Pirates and also Chiefs, is still way behind that of Downs'.
"We can talk about consistency until the end of our lives, but it's not the only thing. You see at the top we're competing against a point machine right now, one team that has not lost a game in the last 40-something games. Is that what you call not being consistent?" Riveiro responded when asked about his side's lack of consistency and inability to compete with Sundowns.
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"Last season, we got 54 points. Usually, you win the title in South Africa with 60, right? Probably you know better than myself. But again, we're competing with a point machine, they don't lose. Probably we're gonna pass that number this season, but again (chuckles), you can analyse, it's your part of the business," the Spaniard added.
Let us know in the comments section below why Pirates cannot compete with Sundowns for the league title:
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