Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has shared his thoughts on the club’s latest acquisition, Gilberto, as they gear up for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Gilberto, a standout talent from Angola’s Petro de Luanda, recently inked a three-year deal with the Buccaneers. His impressive displays both for his club and the Angolan national team caught Pirates’ attention.
During his stint at Petro de Luanda, the 23-year-old forward made 13 appearances across various competitions, netting five goals and providing two assists, showcasing his attacking prowess. He also played a significant role in Angola’s journey to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Since joining Orlando Pirates, Gilberto has seamlessly integrated into the squad.
According to coach Riveiro, Gilberto has quickly found his place within the team dynamic during their pre-season preparations in Spain.
Riveiro’s Impression of Gilberto
Speaking about Gilberto’s adaptation to the team, Riveiro praised his openness and noted the positive impact he has had on his teammates from day one.
“I can tell you that he settled very well in the group; he’s a very open guy, and our group, in that sense, is very special. We have a lot of young players that have common things with Gilberto,” Riveiro said.
“We are all trying to help him, first of all, express himself on the field and try to get the best of his capacity. But at the same time, help him to feel comfortable and that’s something we are doing very well in my opinion.
“I don’t know what word to use for his personality but he had the capacity to attract his teammates to get their attention from the first day. He’s a humble guy; there’s zero complaints about his behaviour in these three to four weeks that he’s been around.”
The Road Ahead
As the season opener against SuperSport United looms, Gilberto’s presence adds depth to the squad as they aim to defend their titles and make a strong challenge for league honors.