Riveiro's Pirates Face Critical Period On Multiple Fronts

Jose Riveiros ship might be listing but they it is still well on its way to its destination, and the outcome of their trip is still fully under their watch.

The Sea Robbers were given a taste of their own medicine as they found themselves in enemy territory and were stripped of their power and control in a battle that saw them come second-best with a 4-1 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns.

But as the saying goes, There are plenty of fish in the sea, and as the focus shifts to the Nedbank Cup this weekend, it will be vital for Riveiro and his troops to be fully switched on against Baroka the former semi-finalists who have proven before in the same competition that names count for very little.

Defending champions Pirates have been in free-flowing mode in this competition for the past two seasons, and they should get the better of a Baroka side that is currently struggling, after recently losing coach Joel Masutha, who was in charge for just over two months at the club.

The defence of the title they won with a 2-1 victory against Sundowns last season will take priority this weekend, but at the back of their minds will be the bigger fish to fry.