Orlando Pirates have a score to settle but they cannot afford to look past Baroka FC when the two sides clash in the Nedbank Cup last 16 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Battered and bruised, the Buccaneers will have Bakgakga standing in their way as they continue in their quest to defend a competition they have won for the past two seasons.
This will be the first time Jose Riveiro and his troops take to the field after they were emphatically taken to the cleaners with a 4-1 loss against Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend in their Betway Premiership clash.
The Sea Robbers will hope the change of competition will bring good omen as they passed their first assignment against Richards Bay FC (3-1) with flying colours last month.
Looking ahead to the match, Riveiro was pleased that his side have had time to have a breather following an intense schedule that saw them face rivals Kaizer Chiefs and a tough Sekhukhune United within seven days.
“The players are looking really well,” he said while addressing the media.
“We went through a tough week in terms of the level of the game and opponent that we faced in a very short space of time.
“We didn’t finish the week the way we wanted; the beginning of this week was more about rest and recovery for the players.”
The Bucs mentor added that his team had a chance to reflect on their heavy loss against Sundowns and they will go into the match against Bakgakga without taking anything for granted.
“We are trying to look at every game as an opportunity to win and to showcase our players’ talents, as well as to ensure that we are at the level that this project requires - to defend our Nedbank Cup title.
“We have had the opportunity to have a look at the opponent, and it’s a serious team with a lot of quality upfront and they can give you a bad day if you are not at the level the game requires.
“Our focus is on Baroka for Saturday and we respect them 100%; then from there on it will shift to the league and the Champions League.”