The Pirates reserve team is currently third on the table in the latest DSTV Diski Challenge standings having played 23 matches, winning 14 drawing 6 and losing 4 matches in the process.

The most recent victory for the Pirates reserve team was a convincing 3-1 victory in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga.

With only Thabiso Monyane getting promoted from the Pirates reserve team to the first team, Makhanya reiterates that Riviero should emulate teams like Stellenbosch FC, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns who have played their academy graduates from last season’s DStv Diski Challenge in the DStv Premiership this season.

"There’s plenty of talent in our team who are showing good signs. Integration is a process that should not be rushed so that they cannot break when they get there,” said Makhanya.

The 41 year old who is also a graduate of the Pirates academy believes once the reserve team youngsters gradually start to feature in top-flight football regularly that will help them in the long run to improve and get better.

“We need to trust the process and hope the first team coach will come up with a proper plan on how to integrate the players, we are still waiting for that. This was the coach’s first season in SA, and he needed to focus on making sure that the first does produce good results, the pressure on his side was too much,” Makhanya added.

Along with Makhanya, Pirates has also seen the likes of Phumudzo Manenzhe, Benedict Vilakazi and the late Gift Leremi to just name a few all come from the Pirates development team and going all the way to be successful footballers for the senior team.

The Pirates DDC team will next face AmaZulu at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on the 1st of April 2023 while the first team will travel to the King Zwelithini Stadium for a clash with Richards Bay on Saturday.