If Riveiro discloses the “learning” from the Champions League, he fears being suspended.
Jose Riveiro has decided to keep quiet about what he discovered during the Orlando Pirates’ brief stay in the CAF Champions League after being knocked out by Jiangeng Galaxy for fear of being “banned.”
With a solemn demeanor, Riveiro refrained from going into additional detail, leaving the assembled press in the Orlando Stadium press conference room in disbelief at his remark.
His words, nevertheless, seem to indicate that he understood that the brutal CAF Champions League is not for the weak of heart, either on or off the field.
After losing 1-0 on the road against Galaxy in Botswana two weeks prior, the Soweto giants won the second leg of the tie, which ended in an aggregate score of 1-1. Galaxy, captained by Morena Ramoreboli, a native of South Africa, have advanced to the Champions League group stages.
Riveiro had no desire to talk about his disappointing Champions League debut. “I’m probably going to get suspended if I tell you what I learned. Thus, I’ll attempt to remain silent,” he declared following Galaxy’s 5–4 penalty shootout loss.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RIVEIRO: “IT IS COMPLICATED”
That’s a part of your [media] job, I used to say. It is your responsibility to discuss the facts and provide in-depth analyses of many of the events that take place during the games. However, neither I nor you will follow through on this.
To put it simply, this competition is challenging. I discovered that the competition is tough. As football players and coaches, there are many aspects of our lives that we are expected to manage.
However, it is challenging; let’s stop there. It’s intricate,” Riveiro continued.
Following their Champions League elimination, the Pirates will need to bounce back swiftly because they take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final in Durban on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
The Pirates strategist also took responsibility for the team’s unexpected Champions League elimination and declared that there was no time to lament the outcome.
“A challenging evening. Not acceptable—this team is capable of competing in the Champions League group stage and is built for it,” he continued. Therefore, we cannot accept this outcome and declare ourselves unlucky. No one is pleased with the outcome.
“We must acknowledge the loss, evaluate it, and assume responsibility for it. The coach above all others. And since it’s clear that our performance in this tournament wasn’t good enough, we need to properly reflect on it.
