Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is confident that his side will come back stronger next season after finishing in second place in the DStv Premiership for the 2022-23 season.

The Buccaneers qualified for next year’s Caf Champions League after they finish in second place in the league with 54 points, claiming 16 wins, six draws and suffering eight defeats in 30 matches.

Pirates finish 16 points behind runaway champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who ended with 70 points, while finishing three points above SuperSport United in third place and nine points ahead of fourth placed Cape Town City.

However, Riveiro insists that his side will continue to up their game and fight Sundowns for the league title next season.

“It is not everything we want, we are not fighting to be second but we could not challenge the current champions the whole season. We will take second place now but we will come back next season,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the game.

“We have to challenge every team next season, not only Sundowns. There is room for improvement and we need to keep fighting. Everyone will start with zero points and if we manage to be competitive and play all the competitions with the same passion, I am sure we will do well.

“Congratulations to my players, it has been a tough season but we are showing good symptoms for the future. We managed to put Pirates in the Champions League for next season which is a competition that we should be competing in every year.”

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