Jose Riveiro says Evidence Makgopa must be patient in his bid to secure a starting berth with Orlando Pirates.

The 22-year-old striker joined the Buccaneers from Baroka this season but has played in just two DStv Premiership encounters and one Nedbank Cup tie with injuries limiting his impact at his new club.

But he looked in good form as he came on in the second half of Bucs' last 16 tie against Venda Football Academy to set up Thembinkosi Lorch in extra-time for what proved to be the winning goal.

Riveiro expects the talented frontman to be a regular contributor for Pirates in the not too distant future.

The Pirates boss said in the Citizen: "It's difficult to say how close, but the important thing is he came in and he contributed. He is helping us and Evidence is an example as a professional and as a human being. I have to say he is working hard every day and he is humble. He never complains about lack of minutes.

"There are many reasons he was not playing. He was injured in two different periods and that couldn't help with his continuity. But he is a high-potential prospect as a number nine. I am 100% sure Evidence is going to come to the party and make an impact soon at Pirates and in South African football."

Pirates are currently in third place on the league standings and next face second-placed SuperSport United on Saturday.

Riveiro added: "He needs to be consistent and he's going to get opportunities. We must be fair sometimes and we cannot expect that Evidence will come in in a moment as difficult as that (when they played VFA) and suddenly win the game for us.

"He did a good job, he contributed, and he was doing a fantastic job without the ball. I hope in the future we can have a space for him to be more consistent in our starting XI and give him a chance to be a regular."

Jose Riveiro says Evidence Makgopa's time at Orlando Pirates will come