Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says he will not rush young talent at the club, writes Mazola Molefe.
Orlando Pirates don’t have a track record as impressive as their DStv Premiership rivals Stellenbosch FC and SuperSport United when it comes to putting faith in academy players, but coach José Riveiro is a big advocate of the process.
Perhaps it’s the Spaniard in him that wants to drift in this direction considering how his native country is never in short supply of a new generation emerging through the ranks at top sides like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. Even the national team included midfielder Pedri in the 2022 World Cup squad just a few weeks before he turned 20.
The Buccaneers registered two teenage wingers in their squad for the 2023/24 season, with Relebohile Mofokeng being the regular, while Mohau Nkota was part of the senior team but seemingly some way off from making his debut.
Overall, the majority of the Premier Soccer League clubs were taking this route as they looked to reap the rewards of the successful DStv Diski Challenge, otherwise known as the reserve league, which was established a decade ago.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, fresh from winning bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier in the year, praised local coaches for opening up opportunities – despite the demands in the top flight to win games and trophies – for the kids.
Riveiro explained he was not doing it for optics. “Relebohile came into the team in the second half of the season and started his first game, playing 90 minutes against Royal AM at home. We are continuing with the process, which is not a straight line,” the Pirates coach explained.
“There’s up and downs for different reasons. They come up and have to understand what it means to play for Orlando Pirates and then get the feedback from every angle – the media, fans – and then start the second step.”
In emphasising his point that promoting young players isn’t a boxticking exercise, Riveiro argues he looks at their ability first.
“It’s not about age and it’s not about them being young, but about talent… the talent to play for Pirates, which is not an easy thing. We will continue doing the same with the players coming from the development or different clubs. I think a player like Tito [Patrick Maswanganyi] is still a young player at 26; so are Thalente Mbatha [24], Thabiso Monyane [23], and Karim Kimvuidi [22]. Even Monnapule Saleng [26]. We love to see these players hungry to improve the history of the club and their own as well.”
He admits throwing youth players in the deep end does come at price. “Sometimes we have to accept also that we have to pay some bills because of their introduction into the team and in our plans – but the door remains open, they are doing a good job in the DDC. I think the media knows the different and potential names for next season.
“The moment will always be there to compete with the ones that have already shown they are good players for the team. This is a never-ending process but putting them in to play five or 10 minutes and say we are helping them just to get numbers and records is not the correct way in my opinion.”
Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
