Pirates face Polokwane City amid swirling talks of Riveiro's replacement

AS Orlando Pirates prepare to face Polokwane City, the air around the team is thick with speculation about coach Jose Riveiro's replacement at a time when the club is embroiled in a battle for the top position in the standings.

- HERMAN GIBBS

The battle lines will be drawn at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon when more than just points are at stake.

The outcome could determine if Pirates remain in the Betway Premiership title race. They trail Mamelodi Sundowns by 15 points but have four games in hand.

Polokwane's mission is to remain in the hunt for a season-ending top-eight | berth. With 34 points after 23 games, a win on Saturday will cement their current sixth-place log standing.

Before the shock announcement on Thursday, players like Deon Hotto said the team was not distracted by speculation about the disruption a coaching change might bring.

"It is not something that hinders us because our main focus is all about achieving what we wanted to achieve at the start of the season," said Hotto.