Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates, has expressed his gratitude for being chosen once again to lead the 2024 Carling All Stars team. He emphasized that he is committed to performing his role to the best of his capability.

The Spanish coach has the opportunity to manage the Carling Cup All-Star team, selected by fans, in their upcoming match against the Carling Cup champions, Magesi FC, at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:30).

As a fan favorite, Riveiro returns to the sidelines for a second time after guiding last season’s All-Stars to victory over the inaugural Carling Cup champions, Stellenbosch FC.

Riveiro expressed his appreciation while recognizing the expectations tied to his role, suggesting a clear responsibility to deliver at his highest level.

“I am thankful, as I mentioned earlier, to be here. I aim to perform my responsibilities as effectively as possible for Orlando Pirates. My goal is to gain the respect of those around me while remaining true to myself, and I’m excited to be chosen again. When people put their faith in you, the expectation to give your all during this brief assignment is clear,” stated the Pirates coach.

In their journey toward cup victory, Riveiro’s upcoming opponents surprised his parent club, Pirates, with a 3-2 defeat in the first round of the competition, thwarting his pursuit of the only domestic cup that has eluded him since arriving in 2022.

While he acknowledges his unfinished business with the Limpopo side, Riveiro stressed that he does not perceive this match as a chance for revenge against the Carling Cup champions.

“I view it as a separate issue. It’s true they’re the team that eliminated us early on, but we only missed the game by 45 minutes. It was a tough and unusual day, and I don’t see this as an opportunity for retribution,” declared the 49-year-old.

The All-Stars coach elaborated on the objectives for Saturday’s match, saying, “Saturday offers an opportunity for the players to showcase an entertaining performance, acknowledging that Magesi represents what it means to be a team. They’re a challenging side to face, but I take pride in representing these players. On Saturday, we need to offer them the space and platform to display their talent and abilities.”

The two-time Nedbank Cup-winning coach will spend the next three days in camp with a squad chosen by fans from various PSL teams, including five promising talents from the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).