Jose Riveiro praises Orlando Pirates' consecutive clean sheets

The Soweto giants are in pursuit of an ambitious treble, with the Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, and CAF Champions League all within reach.

The Pirates booked their place in a third successive Nedbank Cup final - a record in the Premier Soccer League era - after edging Marumo Gallants 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Sunday. Kabelo Dlamini's first-half strike proved decisive in securing the historic achievement.

Just days earlier, Riveiro's men held MC Alger to a goalless draw in the second leg of their CAF Champions League quarter-final, progressing to the semi-finals with a narrow 1-0 aggregate win.

The match, also hosted at Orlando Stadium, underlined Pirates' growing defensive resilience.

Indeed, the Buccaneers have now kept clean sheets in four consecutive matches, a testament to their rock-solid backline and Riveiro's tactical discipline.

However, the coach remains cautious, warning that the league campaign is set to intensify with relegation battles fuelling added pressure on their opponents.

"Three clean sheets in a row [actually four], scoring in different ways like a set-piece in Polokwane and now in open play [against Sundowns on Sunday] - we're getting the confidence from these results," Riveiro said.

"Not conceding is important, especially when your team is full of quality and players with capacity to score goals. I won't say not conceding guarantees you winning but you are close to winning [when you avoid allowing goals].

"We managed to go through probably the key week of the season. Every game we are going to play is going to be a cup final. The points in the league are expensive, so we know it's going to be difficult and the games probably not going to be as open as they were early in the season.

"[Being in the Nedbank Cup final] is something to appreciate, to celebrate, to embrace. We are in a good moment as a team in everything.

"It's nice to be in the final. There's happiness in the group, in the team, in the club and in the supporters."