Latest news with #SeaRobbers'
The Star
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Farewell, Jose Riveiro: Five former Orlando Pirates coaches who ended up in North Africa
Outgoing Orlando Pirates' coach Jose Riveiro has been tight-lipped on his next move, citing confidentiality as the main reason for not opening up at the moment. However, rumours have been rife that he's put pen to paper on a two-year deal with African and Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly. And so, should that eventually be the case, he'll join a list of coaches who jumped the Sea Robbers' ship and landed in north Africa at some point. That's why below, we go down memory lane and look at five coaches who had impressive stints at Pirates before ending up in North Africa... Fadlu Davids (August 2021 - June 2022) Davids was appointed as the co-coach of Pirates alongside Mandla Ncikazi when Josef Zinnbaber left the club. The duo huffed and puffed at the helm, reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final in which they lost to Morocco based side RS Berkane in Nigeria. That loss and sixth place finish resulted in Davids leaving the club to reunite with Zinnbauer, at Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia, and then in Morocco at Raja Casablanca, as an assistant. Davids succeeded at Raja, winning the Botola Pro 1 League after an 'invincible' season and the Throne Cup, before he joined Simba as the head coach this season. Josef Zinnbauer (December 2019 - July 2021) Zinnabuer spent one-and-a-half seasons at Pirates, guiding the team to the MTN8 crown, back-to-back third-place finishes in the Premiership. After leaving Pirates, he landed at Moscow in 2023 where he worked alongside Davids who was his assistant. But it was last season at Raja in which the pair flourished. Zinnbauer is currently on the books of Algeria based side JS Kabylie after leaving Al-Wehda at the end of last year. Rulani Mokwena (August 2017 - December 2019) Mokwena realised a childhood dream when he joined Pirates as Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic's assistant, having his paternal bloodline made a name for themselves at the club. His two seasons, alongside Sredojevic, could only yield-back-to-back second place finishes in the league before Mokwena drowned as an interim coach late in 2019. He eventually left Pirates during the breakthrough of Covid-19 in 2020, resurfacing at Mamelodi Sundowns in which he won trophies as an assistant, co-coach and head coach. After being sacked by the club late last year, Mokwena joined Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca this season. But he's already been released due to inconsistency. Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic (July 2017 - August 2019) After Pirates disappointingly finished outside the Top 8 in 2017, Pirates recalled Sredojevic for his second spell at the club following his first stint in 2006 - 2007. The Serbia born coach arrived at the club promising to wake up a sleeping giant as he was firstly a staunch Pirates supporter before a coach. But his second spell didn't bear immediate effect as he could only lead the team to second place finishes, alongside Mokwena who had strong family ties with the ties. Sredojevic, though, left after just one game into his third season, joining Egyptian giants Zamalek. But that was short-lived. He is currently club-less. Ruud Krol (June 2008 - June 2011) Krol spent three seasons at Pirates, winning a treble in his third and last campaign - the MTN8, Premiership, Nedbank Cup. His departure caught many by surprise given all that he had achieved. But he wasn't without suitors, landing jobs in north Africa at CS Sfaxien, the Tunisia national team, Esperance, Raja, and Club Africain.
The South African
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Cheeseboy gives Orlando Pirates advice before Kaizer Chiefs clash
Former Orlando Pirates star Lebohang Mokoena knows what his former side needs to do to get a win against Kaizer Chiefs Former Orlando Pirates winger Lebohang Mokoena, affectionately known as Cheeseboy, has shed some light on what his former side needs to do to claim three points in the Soweto Derby. 'I think it's going to be a challenge, but they need to get over that defeat as soon as possible because they still have the league and Nedbank Cup titles to play for. 'I think the psychological aspect is very important. They just need to get over this loss and refocus on the remaining matches,' said the former midfielder. 'The derby is just going to make up for everything because at the end of the day, the Orlando Pirates fans don't want to see their team lose against Kaizer Chiefs. 'Every game is going to be important, not just the derby, but I think the derby will be a great gesture to the fans,' explained Mokoena. Riveiro's legacy remains untainted Although Jose Riveiro will leave the club after failing to secure a second Caf Champions League star, Mokoena feels his legacy at the club is cemented. The Sea Robbers' Betway Premiership title challenge also looks to be in tatters after their 0-1 defeat to Sekhukhune. The result leaves them 12 points adrift of leaders Sundowns with two games in hand. Key defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will miss the clash with Chiefs after his red card against Babina Noko. It's been a bad week for the Sea Robbers, who also tumbled out of the Caf Champions League at the semi-final stage. Chaine; Van Rooyen, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa . We could see Patrick Maswanganyi return to the XI, allowing manager Riveiro to revert to a back four. Tapelo Xoki should deputise for the suspended Sibisi. Elsewhere, Tshegofatso Mabasa is often the first-choice attacker in domestic league outings. These sworn Soweto Derby rivals meet in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, 03 May at 15:00. They meet again the following Saturday, 10 May in the Nedbank Cup final. That match also kicks off at 15:00. It's crunch time! Latest Amakhosi transfer rumours Latest Bucs transfer rumours Will Pirates get their season back on track? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs transfers: Mayele's dreams, midfield flop sent packing
Today's Kaizer Chiefs news wrap looks at Mdu Mdantsane's doomed spell with the club and Fiston Mayele's latest ambitions. Wouldn't it be ironic if long-standing Kaizer Chiefs target Fiston Mayele dashed the Sea Robbers' continental dreams this season? The Pyramids FC striker has an exemplary record in the Champions League, with six goals in 10 outings this term. Overall, he's scored 19 times in 34 appearances in Africa's premier club competition. Pyramids vs Pirates in the semi-final second leg kicks off on Friday, 25 April at 20:00. It's delicately poised after a 0-0 draw in the first encounter. Click for the story Since a move from Cape Town City in July 2023, Mduduzi Mdantsane has failed to make the grade at Kaizer Chiefs. In 16 appearances, he failed to score a single goal and spent large periods on the sidelines. At his peak value, transfermarkt estimates that Mduduzi Mdantsane was at his most desirable in the market in February 2023. They gauged him to be worth 1.2m (R22.8 million). Now, just under two years later, they figure he's worth half that (R11.4 million). Injuries have ravaged his time at Naturena, including an unfortunate one sustained in a car accident. However, when fit, his form hasn't been to the standard expected by Chiefs. A loan spell with Richards Bay in 2024-2025 has proved to be the final nail in his Amakhosi coffin. What's next for Mdantsane? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
