Tactical showdown on the cards as Jose Riveiro plots for Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup

If Marumo Gallants were counting on building upon the gameplan they used the last time they beat Orlando Pirates, they may have to rethink their strategy.

That, of course, stems from the fact that Pirates coach Jose Riveiro — who was suspended during their 2–0 league defeat to Gallants — was sitting among the fans in the stands at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, rather than on the touchline.

Fortunes for both clubs were vastly different that day. Gallants, on the one hand, were buoyed by the arrival of a new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, who had just replaced Dan Malesela and brought a fresh sense of motivation to the team.

The two sides are set to meet again on Sunday at 3pm in the first semi-final of the Nedbank Cup at Orlando Stadium, as Pirates look to defend the Ke Yona Cup title for a second successive year.

Riveiro reflected on the previous encounter, noting that Gallants were something of a mystery at the time due to the coaching change.

“We’re in the semi-final of yet another very important competition for us. It means a great deal that we are here,” said Riveiro, who is arguably the most beloved coach in Mzansi right now.

“When we played them the last time, they’d only had a few days with a new coach, so there was a lot of uncertainty regarding their gameplan. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to analyse and visualise how they want to play—what kind of football team they want to be.”

However, things will be different this time, especially with Gallants having now picked up some noteworthy results under Ouaddou.

“The opportunity to study our opponents is something we are presented with every week — not just when we’re playing them,” Riveiro continued. “We now know them very well, and I am sure they also know us very well.

“Nowadays, in football, there are no secrets about what teams are capable of. It’s more about how you choose to approach the game on the day.”