Newly-signed Orlando Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena has detailed what he brings to the team and his experience of training under head coach Jose Riveiro.
Mabena, whose return to the club was confirmed last week on a one-and-half year contract, has reminded the supporters that he was part of the historic double-treble squad in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons.
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The 35-year old says he brings the wealth of experience of lifting trophies from his first stint and is excited to impart his knowledge to the up and coming youngsters, after his long time in the game.
"Most definitely, it's history that was made, I'm happy that I was part of it, with all seven silverwares that I got, I got from Orlando Pirates," Mabena said in an interview on Metro FM Sports.
"So with the double treble, I'm happy that they gave me the experience to take to other teams, I gained experience also from playing for other teams and here I am, I'm back with the Black and White, that's why they always say, 'Once A Pirate, Always A Pirate'.
"For me, it's all about working hard and doing the right things in the field of play and obviously guiding the youngsters, sometimes we teach each other, I'm also learning as well," he said.
Mabena has been training with Pirates since September and went on to explain what he has learned from head coach Jose Riveiro about what he wants from his players.
"Hence I've played for quite some time but I'm still learning and I'm happy to be working under him (Jose Riveiro)," he went on.
The former Royal AM forward was with the squad when they won the MTN8 in the final against AmaZulu in Durban and also alluded that the feeling of winning a trophy gives them a morale boost for their title ambitions.
"We've got a good squad, seeing us winning the MTN8 it gives us that morale boost to go again from this game that's gonna be played on the 30th of December and carrying forward," he carried on.
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"For him (Jose Riveiro) all he wants is good results but he knows in football there's win, there's lose, there's draw, but all he wants is the mentality he puts on players to get the positive result so that the team can achieve by getting those silverwares, as many as we can get."I think for me he's a good coach, for us he's a good coach, he's a good father for us, he's a good leader to us," he added.
Mabena is the only out-field player remaining in the Pirates squad from the double-treble seasons, alongside goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane.
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