DStv Premiership giants Orlando Pirates are expected to release a few players, while others will also stay to fight another season. Jose Riveiro has suggested Azola Matrose will stay.
AZOLA MATROSE NO LONGER LEAVING ORLANDO PIRATES?
Not long ago, the Citizen reported that Matrose was on the way out of the Sea Robbers. The Gqeberha-born star, who is yet to make his senior debut for Orlando Pirates, signed from the Chilli Boys after three goals and one assist in 30 games.
“Talks have already started between Chippa and [Orlando] Pirates. He is happy to go back to Chippa because he was a regular player there. He (Matrose) knows that if he performs well at Chippa, he’ll be recalled anytime, even during the January transfer period,” a source told the publication.
JOSE RIVEIRO UPDATE
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro has suggested Matrose will stay in Soweto next season.
“Azola is working so hard. Since we started the season, he came back to the club with a difficult injury and it’s been a long period for him to play at his level,” the coach said via FARPost.
“But now he is back in a good space. He is making big steps forward. He is close to his best level in my opinion,” the Orlando Pirates tactician concluded.
CHIPPA UNITED COACH KWANENE KOPO COMPLAINS
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers beat Chippa United 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup semifinals on Saturday. Chilli Boys coach Kopo was left fuming with Orlando Pirates coach Riveiro.
“I have a lot of respect for Orlando Pirates, but the language used towards us by the coach today was shocking, absolutely shocking,” Kopo said as quoted by iDiskiTimes.
“Not needed in football. [He] can’t even look me in the eye after the game, or shake a hand. He was inciting Eva [Nga] the whole game, that’s why Eva got sent off.
“I know, Pirates wanted to defend the trophy and I respect the club, I respect the officials of the club. But I think people can present themselves better.
“He is competing very well in training and he is getting more mature. I’m sure it’s not long that we can see him playing for us again.
“But it’s bad, even the fourth official could hear a coach use abusive language against us and they just keep quiet, but it’s okay we move on. We are all coaches, we know when people are under pressure. But we don’t want to say certain things because we want to be looked bad at. It’s not nice.
“Some of us grew up in a difficult time in South Africa, and when you consistently use a second language towards us, it riles us up. That’s the disappointing part for me.
“And that’s what makes us angry, even for the referees that when people of a certain colour or language are abusive, it seems like it’s acceptable in South Africa and I think we need to overcome that.
“But big ups to Chippa, big ups to the chairman for his support. He told us to play an open game and hopefully the crowd enjoyed the game but I think a good spectacle for PE,” Kopo concluded on the Orlando Pirates coach.