Orlando Pirates triumph over Kaizer Chiefs secures Jose Riveiro's legend status
Paseko Mako and Gaston Sirino Orlando Pirates' Paseko Mako and Gaston Sirino of Kaizer Chiefs battle for possession at the FNB Stadium. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Comment by Matshelane Mamabolo
NO MATTER what happens next weekend and in the remaining matches of the season, Jose Riveiro has secured his status as an Orlando Pirates legend as Saturday's 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs ensured that.
In leading the Buccaneers to completing a season double over Amakhosi, the Spaniard equalled the record of the most derby wins by a coach of either Soweto giants in the Premier Soccer League era.
This was his fifth win, the same number as that of former Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter.
The soft-spoken coach, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, could well go ahead of the Englishman before he returns home to Vigo.
All he needs to do is to ensure Pirates hold on to their Nedbank Cup title when they play the same Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium next Saturday.
And on the strength of this win, it would be folly to bet against him winning an unprecedented third, successive title of the country's premier club knockout competition.
Pre-match, the general feeling was that Pirates were on a hiding to nothing – the Buccaneers having lost their two matches prior and the camp appearing somewhat disillusioned.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The superstitious among us were even pointing out that 'bad things happen in threes'.
When Chiefs opened the scoring via Makabi Glody Lilepo within the first two minutes, the observant picked up that it was the third match in a row that Pirates were conceding a goal to a DR Congolese player.
Pyramids FC's Fiston Mayele had scored the winner and his compatriot Tresor Yamba was on the mark for Sekhukhune United in their 1-0 victory at Orlando Stadium midweek.
Pirates were going to fall to a Congolese goal yet again it seemed, Chiefs particularly firing on all cylinders in the initial stages.
Amidst it all, Riveiro maintained his usual calm demeanour on the bench, standing occasionally to direct proceedings and then taking that trademark posture of his on the edge of the technical area to watch the match with his elbow on his knee and the chin balanced on his palm.
He had a game-plan, and he was not about to be dissuaded from it by Chiefs enjoying the upper hand.
After all, this is a Pirates team he has painstakingly built over three years, and he knows exactly what they can do and how they can do it.
And true to form, Pirates levelled matters through Evidence Makgopa before the halftime break, and normalcy was restored.
Pirates dictated matters henceforth, with Mohau Nkota making good runs on the wing and Relebohile Mofokeng occasionally showing off his immense skills.
Through it all, the coach they had referred to as a plumber when he first came over here watched like a hawk from the bench.
At times he would share ideas with his assistant Mandla Ncikazi as they plotted how to get the Buccaneers back to winning ways.
They need not have bothered much, because they had a talisman on the field, and he delivered, with Mofokeng scoring what turned out to be the winning goal as Pirates won a fifth successive match against their bitter enemies.
Cometh the man, cometh the Cocomelon 👶🔥
Rele Mofokeng is the real deal 😤
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/SRTxf7v3Q3 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 3, 2025
It was a victory that served to illustrate just how superb a coach Riveiro is, and explained just why Pirates had tried to get him to extend his stay at the end of his three-year contract.
But why should he stay on when he has proven himself already?
Sure, the league title has eluded him, and it is unlikely he will pull the rug from underneath champions Mamelodi Sundowns' feet.
Yet, that failure should not be allowed to take away from the incredible work Riveiro has done as Pirates coach.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Famous player's brother announces Kaizer Chiefs move?
As reported last week, Kaizer Chiefs got linked with another high-profile winger. It was Mihlali Mayambela, who plays for Aris Limassol and Bafana Bafana. The report said the 28-year-old from Khayelitsha is setting his sights on returning to South Africa since moving to Europe as a teenager nine years ago. According to iDiski Times' Sinethemba Makonco, Mayambela is keen on playing for Kaizer Chiefs, a team he represented at under-15 level. Jose Riveiro: 'Why I left Orlando Pirates' Mihlali Mayambela in action for Aris Limassol in Cyprus. Image: samsonmayambela/X 'Aris Limassol and Bafana Bafana winger Mihlali Mayambela is open to a PSL move with Kaizer Chiefs, who are believed to be his preferred team of choice,' the report said. Before moving to Sweden's Djurgården aged 18, Mayambela played professional football in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with Cape Town All Stars. The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates development player became a journeyman abroad via countries like Portugal, Israel and Cyprus in the Middle East. 'It's 11 vs 11, Sundowns will do well' In Cyprus, with Limassol during the 2024/25 season, Mayambela played 23 times with four goals and five assists. In the meantime, Mihlali's famous brother, Mark, who played for the likes of Bloemfontein Celtic, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Chippa United, Ajax Cape Town and Cape Town City, went on X to suggest the move to Kaizer Chiefs is happening. Mayambela, who is in Europe for his UEFA A license course, posted a quote from the iDiski Times report with a picture of Mihlali during his days at Kaizer Chiefs under-15s. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Jose Riveiro: ‘Why I left Orlando Pirates'
Orlando Pirates supporters have been demanding answers. Why did Jose Riveiro leave the Betway Premiership giants for Al Ahly? Days before Riveiro took Al Ahly to the FIFA Club World Cup to open the tournament against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, the Spaniard spoke to the media about his exit from the Buccaneers. According to the former Orlando Pirates mentor who lifted three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies, it was time for new horizons. 'It's 11 vs 11, Sundowns will do well' Jose Riveiro waving at Orlando Pirates supporters at the FNB Stadium. Image via Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix 'There was a narrative about my decision to leave Pirates. I have never said I'm going because of the distance. I did not leave in order to be close to my family,' said Riveiro on Metro FM . Two released Orlando Pirates players never complained 'The decision was based on my feelings, and that my time at Orlando Pirates was up. I had to continue my journey and challenge myself in a new environment. 'So, I think it's also positive for Pirates to continue differently, try to find a different challenge, and for the club to also find someone to continue the journey, to take the team to the next level.' The soft-spoken Spaniard added, 'Al Ahly is a club that gives you a good platform to continue growing and winning trophies. I think it's a good option for my development. I had to make a decision. Rumours: Kaizer Chiefs have signed these four players 'The distance from your own country and from your family can be a problem, but it's not the only thing. You know, when you think about taking your family with you, it is not an easy decision, trust me. It's more about our role in the club,' the former Orlando Pirates tactician added. 'The possibility that you change, maybe your family life, but in the end, maybe after two months, you have to be back at home. 'After all, I'm used to being alone and far from everything, and concentrating on my job because that's what I do, and that's what I'm going to do here [at Al Ahly],' he concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
15 hours ago
- The South African
Thembinkosi Lorch to return to Orlando Pirates under Rulani?
Wydad Casablanca winger Thembinkosi Lorch could return to Orlando Pirates if Rulani Mokwena takes over as head coach. Mokwena is in pole position to take over from Jose Riveiro as Bucs coach after the Spaniard left for Al Ahly last month. Lorch joined Mokwena at Wydad but the 38-year-old coach's time in Morocco was cut short after the club decided to terminate his contract. Lorch and Rulani worked at Orlando Pirates briefly in 2019 before the 31-year-old former Bafana Bafana star rejoined the Soweto born coach at Mamelodi Sundowns five years later. 'Lorch has the talent, and we all know that,' Mokwena told iDiski Times . 'He's a player I like a lot for the final third because he has a lot of weapons. When he's at his best, he influences the result'. 'His adaptation has been gradual. I think he should be scoring more, and I told him this. We worked on certain movements and situations, and he knows how to finish and find the spaces around the box.' Although Mokwena has not touched much on his potential return to Pirates, he admitted he would be open to join the Soweto giants. Regarding Lorch, the ex-Downs coach highlighted the winger's weakness. 'The legs don't allow for movements from deeper areas that then place greater physical demands on making movements towards the box. This is why he needs to be a bit more patient in movement, receiving the ball, and arriving in spaces than earlier in his career,' Mokwena explained. 'In recent friendlies, Wydad's adjustments are evident—more structured in a mid- to low block without possession, and him having to defend the wide channel on the left makes him play further away from the box because he has to defend closer to [Ayoub] Boucheta in this role and assist [El Mehdi] Moubarik and [Mickael] Malsa or [Ismail] Moutaraji in protecting the left half space and extending the midfield line to protect zone 14,' he said. Lorch returning to Orlando Pirates might happen if Mokwena takes over. The 38-year-old coach is a big fan of Nyoso. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
