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Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro highlights consistency as the key to securing CAF Champions League qualification.
The Sea Robbers climbed to second spot in the Premiership standings after Terrence Dzvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng scored to ensure they beat Richards Bay 2-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
With nine victories in 12 games played this year and three defeats, Riveiro spoke of the importance of focusing on consistency.
"The results are there. If we look at the results of 2023, we'll find Pirates winning a lot of games. However, there's always one topic to discuss," Riveiro told reporters after the match.
"Early in the season, we were discussing that we don't capitalise on the chances we create, then we were discussing that we don't score in the second halves, now it's lack of consistency that we are discussing.
"At this moment, we are second, so we are getting there...we are getting it right. From my point of view, the team is improving...that's what we feel with the players, but we are still far from being a complete team. We still must or should, in the future, play better."
Pirates, SuperSport United, and Kaizer Chiefs are tied on 40 points, but the Buccaneers currently occupy the coveted second spot due to a better goal difference.
The three teams are vying to finish second and qualify for the CAF Champions League.
When asked about whether it's better to chase or be chased in the second spot race, Riveiro replied: "It doesn't matter who's second today or tonight, but it's the end of the season that matters. We know what we need to do.
"When the season started, we wished and worked to try to be at the top, but unfortunately, it was impossible this season to achieve that level of consistency to fight for the top spot.
"Now, our objective is to finish as high as possible, and that means we want to be second...we want to represent Pirates in Africa next season badly, and we'll go all the way until the last day trying to make sure that we are that team who finishes second in the end," he added.
The Buccaneers will face Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next Saturday in their next DStv Premiership match.
