Jose Riveiro, the head coach of Orlando Pirates, sees the upcoming clash against Stade d’Abidjan as an opportunity to strengthen their position and challenge the Ivorians, with a knockout spot at stake.

The Buccaneers are set to take on the Ivorian giants Stade d’Abidjan at Orlando Stadium during the CAF Champions League group stage on Saturday (18:00).

This game serves as a rematch, following their earlier 1-1 draw last month in Ivory Coast.

“As we approach the fourth match in the group, this offers us a chance to solidify a positive standing,” Riveiro commented on Friday.

“Playing at home, our main objective is to secure three points to minimize the risks posed by our opponents and leverage our strengths. Although this may not seem particularly exceptional, we fully grasp the importance of the three points available for both sides.

“This game holds significant importance for both teams and, likely, the supporters as well. It presents a formidable challenge against a well-performing opponent, recognized for their skilled players, and we understand that it will be a tough match.”

Currently, Riveiro’s squad is positioned second in Group C with five points from three matches, trailing group leaders Al Ahly by two points, and they concluded 2024 with a win over Magesi in the Betway Premiership.

The Spanish head coach intends to approaching Saturday’s match with the same mentality displayed against Dikwena Tsa Meetse.

“There isn’t a difference between league games and Champions League fixtures; our aim is to win every match. In the league, we maintain our concentration, as we face a complex challenge in seeking favorable results,” Riveiro noted.

“I am very satisfied with the players’ performance in that match [against Magesi] as we are aware of the difficulties of competing in those conditions. It contributes to our development and provides us an opportunity to experience away matches, which differ from our home games at Orlando Stadium.

“Tomorrow [Saturday] gives us another opportunity to showcase our strength. The squad has the chance to demonstrate their dedication to performing well in this tournament, not just through the group stage but also with aspirations to break into the top eight.”

When the Pirates step onto the pitch, they could either find themselves five points behind or in third place, depending on the result of the match between Ahly and CR Belouizdad, who are scheduled to play in Algeria on Friday (21:00).