CONFIRMED: African coach offered to Orlando Pirates!
Orlando Pirates will begin new era which will include a new coach for the first time in three years.
Pirates had stability under former coach Jose Riveiro who has just left the club to join Al Ahly.
During his tenure, Riveiro has helped Pirates win five trophies. Three MTN8 titles in a row as well as back to back Nedbank Cup titles. Furthermore, Beyond that, he led the Buccaneers into a second place in the Betway Premiership. Beyond local boarders, he ensured qualification for the side, into the group stages of the CAF Champions League. After doing so for the first time since 2018, they finished top of their group and unbeaten.
Riveiro led Pirates to a semifinal finish in the CAF Champions League, with a Nedbank Cup final too. That has seen a vacancy open up at the Sea Robbers for the first time. A familiar name has since resurfaced in Rulani Mokwena. Having had a short stint with the Buccaneers before, he has expressed interest in a potential return.
It was then reported earlier that Pirates were also looking at Mokwena as their next potential coach. According to Micky Jnr , a new candidate has emerged with DRC coach Florent Ibenge has been offered to the Buccaneers.
'Florent Ibenge has been offered to Orlando Pirates by some agents. But it's all rumors at this stage, as no one from the club officially approached Ibenge as at yesterday. Ibenge still hasn't signed any contract extension with the Sudanese giants. Yesterday, in a conservation with the former CAF Confederation Cup winner, he said: 'Look, Micky…everything is still rumors for now.' When pressed forward to ask him about contract extension with Al Hilal, he replied and said:'You'll know in few days time.'. Ibenge is also a strong fan of the Tanzania Premier League. Where do you see the Congolese manager coaching at next season?' Wrote Micky Jnr on his X account.
Pirates fans would you take Ibenge as Riveiro's successor? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
24 minutes ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Al-Ahly and Sundowns face defining CWC Campaigns
Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Jose Riveiro, former head coach of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso during the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images) African football will be under the spotlight at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, with four clubs, Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), and Esperance (Tunisia) set to fly the flag for the continent. It's not just about participation anymore. The pressure is firmly on these sides to compete, deliver results, and change global perceptions. ALSO READ: Percy Tau on what Kaizer Chiefs must pay to sign him All eyes will be on the touchline, where Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Both are leading teams with lofty expectations and unforgiving fanbases. And while every manager at the Club World Cup has something to prove, few will be judged as harshly as these two. Riveiro, a former Orlando Pirates boss, has already described Ahly as 'almost a European team'. That statement alone sets the bar. The Cairo giants are not strangers to this tournament, having earned four bronze medals (2006, 2020, 2021, 2023). With Inter Miami, Porto, and Palmeiras awaiting in Group A, Al Ahly's path will be tough, but this is a club built for big stages. A group exit would be seen as failure. At the very least, a knockout spot is expected. Cardoso's task is no easier as the Brazilians are coming off a bitterly disappointing CAF Champions League final loss to Pyramids FC. That result has left fans demanding both redemption and a return to the attacking football the club is known for. In Group B, Sundowns face Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund, and Fluminense. It's not a kind draw, but with the depth and experience in their squad, failure to compete would raise serious questions of Cardoso's credentials. For both coaches, this tournament could double as an audition to keep their jobs. Expectations are sky-high, and anything short of a strong showing may just result in changes at the top. Success is not just about results at these two African heavyweights because attractive football does matter Wydad Casablanca and Esperance, while slightly less scrutinised, carry the same burden of representing African football on the global stage. Morocco's World Cup semi-final run in 2022 shattered old stereotypes and proved that African teams can match the best in the world. Club sides now have a similar responsibility and that's to compete with pride and show the immense talent the continent has to offer Gone are the days when African clubs travelled to the global showpieces just to make up the numbers. The gap between the so-called giants and Africa's best is shrinking. This tournament is a golden opportunity to prove it. ALSO READ: Maema tight-lipped on future after making Sundowns Club World Cup squad The narrative is shifting. African fans no longer hope for miracles, but they expect progress. The whole African continent will be watching Ahly and Sundowns with keen interest. This could prove a defining moment, not only for their global standing but also for the futures of their respective head coaches.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Linda Mntambo's plea to Sipho Mbule
Mntambo, the experienced, 36-year-old midfielder who has been a model of consistency over a long career, also spoke passionately about his early days in amateur football in Soweto before he joined Jomo Cosmos where he cut his teeth in professional football. His career then took him to Chippa United and Orlando Pirates before joining Sekhukhune in mid-2022. For most of his career, Mntambo has been captain of the sides that he has played for and he discusses his leadership style and how he navigated around leading some difficult personalities in a team environment. Over the past few seasons, Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Betway Premiership with eight successive titles. Mntambo believes consistent Sekhukhune — top-half finishers in three of their four seasons since being promoted in 2021, and fourth-placed finishers in the last two campaigns — can be among the teams to challenge the Brazilians.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
OFFICIAL: Kaizer Chiefs hand two-year deal to veteran midfielder!
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly keen on keeping Sibongiseni Mthethwa in their ranks as free agency beckons for the 30-year-old. 'The club has already taken the initiative to keep the midfielder for two more years,' an inside source revealed. 'The talks are believed to have started before the end of the season. But apparently things are looking good. It will all now depend on what both parties are looking at. But the talks are open.' Another source reaffirmed the speculation, saying, 'Yes, he didn't start well under coach Nasreddine Nabi. We think he didn't understand him. But now they [Kaizer Chiefs] are happy with him and that's why they are offering him a two-year deal.' 'If all goes well and they agree on new terms it will start from next year until June 2028.' Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa vows to bounce back stronger after the Afcon recess. Image: (@SABCSport/Twitter) Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are hoping to add 19-year-old Neo Rapoo from SuperSport United, however they face competition from Orlando Pirates meaning the jury is still out as to whether they will land the talented teenager. 'Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are both keen to sign SuperSport United left-back Neo Rapoo ahead of the new season,' an inside source revealed. 'His performances as he led South Africa U20 to the Africa Cup of Nations title earned him interest in Scandinavia and the Gulf but sources as Matsatsansa have confirmed Chiefs and Pirates are both seriously after the player who is seen as future senior national team left-back.' 'With Orlando Pirates having released Paseka Mako and the retirement of Innocent Maela, their interest on the promising full-back comes as no surprise, while Kaizer Chiefs are looking to remedy a position that has plagued them in the last couple of seasons.' 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.
