Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained the differences in the current squad compared to the team that won the Nedbank Cup last season after they qualified for another final.
The Buccaneers booked their spot in the final of the Nedbank Cup after thrashing Chippa United 3-1 in the semi-finals courtesy of a brace by Kabelo Dlamini and another goal by Tapelo Xoki.
READ | Bucs progress to back-to-back Nedbank Cup finals
"Ja, it was a rough game, very physical with the opponent playing a lot of long balls, they forced us in the end to play with three centre-backs, to control a little bit better in the last 20 minutes, I think we did it well, three goals. I think we were the better team, it's a well deserved final for these guys, a fourth in a row, so everybody in the club very happy," Riveiro said on SuperSport
After winning the Nedbank Cup in his first season, Riveiro feels the team that reached the final again currently is different to the last campaign.
"It was a different group to be honest. This is a learning process for most of our players right now, we're playing with many youngsters, with players who are playing these types of games for the first time," the Spanish coach said.
"Maybe last season we had a little bit of experience in every line but we're really enjoying playing football with them, the fact that we're here playing this semi-final also belongs to the ones who were competing last season and so what a way to do it.
"So everybody is getting the benefit of that, we can only play 11 players in a big squad but this victory belongs to the whole group."
Dlamini has been in form for Pirates lately and Riveiro suggested that the former Bloemfontein Celtic attacker does not get the credit he deserves.
"I think 'KB' is an excellent football player, he understands football very well and has the quality to execute, so what else? Sometimes we don't give him the flowers he deserves, he is sometimes in the shadow but his contribution to this team the last two seasons at least he has been excellent and I think he hasn't touched his best capacity, he's still improving," he added.
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