Jose Riveiro was a proud coach deep in the bowels of FNB on Saturday night, declaring that Orlando Pirates are among the best teams in Africa right now.
Pirates held Pyramids to a stalemate in the CAF Champions League semi-final first leg at the Calabash.
A result which will force them to score or at least hold on for another goalless draw and win on penalties to reach the final in the second leg in Cairo on Friday.
🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL SF 1st Leg
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 19, 2025
FT|| @orlandopirates 0 v 0 @pyramidsfc
🎙️ Thalente Mbatha
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#TotalEnergiesCAFCL#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/BwzWDz3O1S
And having travelled to north Africa three times this season, including Egypt, and came back with as many victories, they’ll fancy their chances.
But nevertheless, should things not go away, Pirates should still be proud of their exploits on the continent, especially given the fact that they are yet to lose to date.
Riveiro, who’s in his last season at the club, is also on his first knockout stage in just his second season in the competition, and that’s why he’s validated for his opinion.
“We are still unbeaten in the biggest competition on the continent. I think that tells you enough about the way our team is competing this season,” he said.
“There’s nothing to say to these guys - they are doing an incredible job. They are competing at the level of the best team on the continent, whoever you decide it is. We are at that level right now.”
Reaching the Champions League final would add another feather in Riveiro’s cap as his team will also face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10 at Moses Mabhida