PIC: Jose Riveiro

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says his side’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against third-tier Dondol Stars is “not a piece of cake” despite the Soweto giants being overwhelming favourites to advance to the Last 4.
Stars have already seen off topflight SuperSport United and AmaZulu, but may find Pirates a different proposition with The Buccaneers having won their last five games in a row.
Spaniard Riveiro, who has already claimed the MTN8 title with Pirates this season, is not taking their lower league opponents lightly.

“They've proved against some other clubs that it was not a piece of cake. We're prepared for a serious job,” Riveiro says.

“It is an opportunity for us to progress, it is a special tournament and it also increases motivation in the team. We are preparing ourselves as well as possible and we are looking forward to the kick off on Saturday.

“There is no extra pressure, it is always there, and I said many times that working for a club like Orlando Pirates there are always expectations and they are high. Everybody expects us to win.”

Riveiro says he is pleased with the recent performances of his side.

“It's not only about the results. I think it's the way we're expressing ourselves on the field and how competitive we are at this moment. Everything tells you we're in a good space right now. The stats are excellent.

“What the team is expressing is good because sometimes ... you just get the results and nothing else.”
Pirates have a number of top individuals, but Riveiro says it has been a real team effort in recent weeks.

“We make sure we get the results through our identity and in how we're expressing ourselves as a collective. In that sense I'm a happy coach.

“Obviously I'm very happy with the last results, and the cup game is coming at the right moment and that's what we want to do on Saturday — show we really want to go all the way.

“In these types of games if you don't really show that mentality you're not going to win and it doesn't matter if the opponent you're facing is a first, second or third division team.

“It's about ambition and that is about wanting to see yourself in the next round. The moment tells us we're going there.”

As ever, the first goal on Saturday may well be crucial, especially as Pirates have managed games superbly once ahead.

“In every game where we scored we have won and for us it's very important that we get the lead,” Riveiro said. “We're a confident team when we're leading games. It's not easy to score against Pirates, so it's a big advantage for us. The real scenario is to go to half time with a good advantage.

“But we have to be prepared for every scenario because we found ourselves going to extra time (in the last round) against Venda.”
Stars co-coach Vincent Rammoni says they have nothing to lose and will be going all out for another massive upset.

“We are very happy to still be part of the competition and reach this level. I was not even aware that we are the first team to beat two Premiership sides in the first two rounds. But we are obviously the same Dondol that came in the tournament in the Last 32,” Rammoni said.

“We are still humble and willing to learn from Orlando Pirates like we learned from SuperSport United and AmaZulu. We as the club, technical staff and players know why we are at this stage of the tournament and we know what we have been doing behind the scenes.
“We know things that we have to do to remain relentlessly consistent and we are looking forward to Saturday’s game.”
Stars are hoping to become the first amateur side to reach the Nedbank Cup semifinals since Baroka FC in 2011. On that occasion the Limpopo club defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the quarterfinals.