Orlando Pirates 2023/24 Preview

Orlando Pirates finished second last term to earn a return to the CAF Champions League. With two domestic trophies won in his first season, 47-year-old Jose Riveiro left the lazy ‘plumber’ jibes well and truly behind and will now be targeting a title challenge and continental glory this time around.

LAST SEASON: TWO CUPS & SUPERB SECOND HALF

Upon his appointment, not many will have heard of Jose Riveiro. His initial weeks in the job saw some teething issues as he looked to implement his playing style. The first 12 matches in all competitions brought just five wins and league losses to Chippa United, Maritzburg United, and Sekhukhune United. The first half of the DSTV Premiership season overall saw Pirates with the seventh most points in the division (19) and just 10 goals netted in 15 fixtures.

Things started to click into gear in late October with a superb 3-0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final second leg. That match also saw a breakthrough for Monnapule Saleng, having played just once from the bench in the opening 10 matches of the season. Before the World Cup hiatus, Bucs beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the MTN8 final, and just a few months into his reign, Riveiro had silverware to his name. After successive league defeats post-World Cup games, Pirates never looked back.

The final 20 matches of the season saw just two defeats – to Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs – as the Sea Robbers not only took the most points of all PSL teams in the 15 league matches (35 points and 30 goals scored), but they also lifted the Nedbank Cup to complete a domestic double. There is a lot to build on going into this season and expectations will be high.

HOW RIVEIRO SETS UP

In terms of playing system, Pirates initially used mostly a 3-4-2-1 shape when the Spaniard took over. Deon Hotto was being used at left wingback with two number tens supporting the striker. On occasion, he changed that up though. In November’s defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, a 4-4-2 shape was selected although a striker was withdrawn at half-time as the alteration didn’t really work.

A big reason for how the season turned so positively was a switch to a back four around the half-way mark. Both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 shape were used and the side looked much more attacking and penetrative with an extra forward-thinking player on the pitch. Riveiro did mix things up at times though, for example going to a 4-4-2 against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-final with Kabelo Dlamini on the left, then introducing Deon Hotto as a left back from the bench, before moving to a 3-5-2 system to take control of midfield. His adaptability as a coach bodes well for a congested season ahead.

RECRUITMENT: CREATIVITY ADDED TO SALENG

For years, Pirates have relied on Thembinkosi Lorch for creativity and have visibly suffered when he has been out injured (and that’s been very often!). The breakout of Saleng last term saw him score 15 goals and add 11 assists with key contributions in so many of the big cup matches. Going into this campaign, ensuring sufficient competition and depth in forward areas was important.

Although Terrence Dzvukamanja has departed, and he was key from January onwards last term (eight goals in 19 appearances), the options in the forward areas has been boosted. Katlego Otladisa (Marumo Gallants), Melusi Patrick Maswanganyi (SuperSport United), Lesedi Kapinga (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Karim Kimvuidi (Maritzburg United) have all come in, meaning there are wealth of options in the ‘third band’ in the 4-2-3-1 behind the striker.

It’s not even clear how all of their options can be accommodated even with CAF matches to navigate. That may be preferable though to relying on Vincent Pule and Lorch in recent years when neither has produced end product reliably nor been able to stay off the treatment table.

QUESTION MARKS OVER NUMBER ONE & NUMBER NINE

For Jose Riveiro, two of the main issues he has to settle is over his first choice goalkeeper and who will play most often play up front. The success in the second half of last season came with Sipho Chaine donning the gloves and Dzvukamanja playing as a false nine, albeit one with excellent aerial presence. With Richard Ofori fit again and Melusi Buthelezi recruited from TS Galaxy, options are more extensive in goal. Up front, there is no shortage of alternatives but can Kermit Erasmus, Evidence Makgopa or returning loanee, Zakhele Lepasa score the goals the team needs?

Erasmus ended last term on a 10-game scoring drought in the league, Makgopa got just six sub outings last season and doesn’t really suit the style of play, whilst Lepasa was allowed to leave on loan in January. He has excelled for Bafana Bafana of late but his 2022-23 club season saw just two braces scored (one for Bucs and one for SuperSport on loan) and he has some work to do to truly convince his coach.

ORLANDO PIRATES DEPTH CHART

*Realistic options to play regularly – excludes fringe players

*Accurate up to 28 July

A look at the Pirates squad shows an incredible amount of options in every position. There are a number of fringe players missing from this roster including extremely talented teenage winger Relebohile Ratomo and newly signed midfielder, Sephelo Baloni. Pirates have three or four players for every position in attack so the key will be to create cohesion and chemistry and not to rotate too much.

Kapinga comes from Sundowns with a big point to prove and Kimvuidi has cost a significant fee from Maritzburg United. Both will surely feature regularly whilst dribble merchant Otladisa will also hope to play. It’s hard to see how everyone fits in and Riveiro will have to make quick decisions. The rest of the side looks pretty settled in the back six positions. Miguel Timm and Thabang Monare (when the latter was fit) were excellent last season and if Olisa Ndah can get himself fit and focused, we could see the player who was being linked with a move to Italy’s Serie A not long ago. Right back is perhaps the one area to worry about, but left-footed Paseka Mako could be the safe selection to shore up that flank.

VERDICT

Bucs haven’t realistically challenged for the title in three seasons. Can they do it this time around? It’s difficult to see them keeping pace with Sundowns especially with so many new attackers to integrate and the added strain of the CAF Champions League. Pirates have the squad to finish second again and to fight for cup glory both domestically and on the continent.

The number one key factor is continuity from last season’s success and not having to build from scratch in too many departments. To have any chance of winning the league, they need to beat Sundowns and Chiefs in the direct matchups because they lost home and away to those two rivals last season in the DSTV Premiership.

Prediction:

Best Possible Finish: Second

Worst Possible Finish: Fourth

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis