Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has heaped praise on duo Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng on their exceptional performance for the Buccaneers this season.

Saleng and Dzvukamanja played a starring role to help the Sea Robbers beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Sibusiso Vilakazi opened the scoring for Sekhukhune in the 12th minute but Tapelo Xoki levelled matters from the penalty spot in the 47th minute before Dzvukamanja put the game to bed deep into stoppage time to hand Pirates the title.

Riveiro was impressed with Dzvukamanja’s exploits throughout the season despite his slow start to the 2022-23 season.

“Terrence, he deserves it. I am so happy for him because we went through difficult times with him during the season,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the game.

“The boy was struggling and suffering a lot. Sometimes people did not understand him but he is a fantastic player, and that is why he plays for Orlando Pirates.”

Riveiro is confident that Saleng will be even better after bagging the DStv Premiership Players’ Player of the Season award as well as the MTN8 Lat Man Standing award.

“What can I say about Saleng and his season? I am sure that he can do it better, and he will improve. It is his first season at this level,” he continued.

“There is a big room to understand a lot of this better, so I think his dimension is going to change year after year.”

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