Polokwane’s mission is to remain in the hunt for a season-ending top-8 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.

Additionally, defender Tapelo Xoki expressed his desire for Riveiro to stay, highlighting the unity and strength the team has built over the past three years.

“We’ve built a strong powerhouse in terms of the team that we have assembled over the last three years, and it won’t sit well with many of us for him to leave, and it will unsettle some things. I hope he doesn’t leave,” said Xoki.

Pirates will head into the game after Tuesday’s 1-0 win in Algiers against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League. They are unbeaten in their last three Premiership matches.

Polokwane ended their seven-match winless streak in the league last Sunday by bagging a 3-1 win against Richards Bay at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Both teams have good form and will be keen to assert their dominance, providing football fans with a potentially gripping spectacle.

Phuti Mohafe, the Polokwane coach, said the 3-1 win against Bay was a huge confidence booster, and will raise the spirits in their ranks for their game against the Soweto giants.

“It’s a relief for us in a sense that we scored three and we’ve got three points against Richards Bay. With that mentality, I cannot say we have turned the corner, but we will be lying to ourselves if we plan to relax. We must not forget we are playing a big match against Pirates,” said Mohafe.

One of the reasons behind Polokwane’s solid performances of late is central midfielder Lebohang Nkaki, who had a hand in all three goals against Bay.

He has formed a fine partnership with Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis and their impact has bolstered the team’s attacking arsenal.

Riveiro has called for his side to remain focused on the task amid talk about leaving the club at the end of the season.

“My priority right now is on our upcoming match against Polokwane City. This is a tough match. A match that needs our undivided attention and focus,” said Riveiro.

“The time will come for me to express myself on the decision I have made but now isn’t that time because we have a job to do. The season is far from over and we have a lot of work to do between now and the end of May.”

The star attraction will be the Pirates fan-favourite Relebohile Mofokeng. He brings the skill, finesse and x-factor and will be an ever-present threat to the Polokwane’s defence.

With Pirates hoping to bag silverware this season, the contributions of the talented youngster could well be the telling factor in games with high stakes in the next couple of weeks.