Orlando Pirates gave coach Jose Riveiro a winning send off after defeating Golden Arrows 3-0 in a Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-0 Golden Arrows
Date: 13 May 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Riveiro gave a start to young Simphiwe Selepe, while Thapelo Xoki, Kabelo Dlamini, Bandile Shandu and Tshegofatso Mabasa were also handed recalls following the defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
Scroll through the gallery above to see images from Riveiro's farewell.
Mabasa marked his return to the line-up in fine style when he opened the scoring on 15 minutes with a lovely finish into the far corner after some superb work by Relebohile Mofokeng to set up the goal.
The first half was quite an open affair as Arrows went extremely close to equalising on 23 minutes when Nduduzo Sibiya was time and space on the edge of the box before seeing his curling effort crash against the upright.
The Buccaneers, however, did gain more control in the final 15 minutes of the first half, but they were let down by their decision-making in the final third, especially Deon Hotto who squandered a glorious chance before the break when he blazed over the crossbar after being sent through on goal.
The Buccaneers came out firing in the second half in search of more goals as Mohua Nkota's low strike forced Arrows goalkeeper Ismail Watenga into a fine save while Hotto went close with a powerful effort inside the opening 10 minutes.
Pirates got their reward on the hour mark when Hotto broke free down the left side of the box and sent a low cross into the six-yard area, but Watenga was unable to gather and spilled the ball into net, with Shandu making sure to fire into an empty net.
The home side continued to dominate and bagged a third goal three minutes later when Kabelo Dlamini curled home a lovely free-kick for his third league goal of the season.
With Pirates comfortably leading, Riveiro gave a first team debut to DStv Diski Challenge captain Cemran Dansin while Yanga Madiba was also introduced for the final 15 minutes of the contest, giving the supporters a taste of the future.
The Buccaneers were able to see out the remaining stages with relative ease, as Riveiro signed off as head coach with three points, three goals and a clean sheet.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 44. Mbokazi, 26. Shandu, 7. Hotto, 8. Makhaula, 47. Selepe, 18. Dlamini, 33. Nkota, 38. Mofokeng, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 46. Dansin, 42. Radiopane, 30. Madiba, 28. Maswanganyi, 27. Xoki, 25. Kimvuidi, 16. Mbatha, 3.Van Rooyen
Golden Arrows: 1. Watenga, 39. Jiyane, 26. Kobedi, 22. Theron, 41. Zwane, 24. Dlamini, 30. S.Cele, 12. Ndwandwe, 11. Sibiya, 38. Mthanti, 25. Maxwele
Subs: 34. Maova, 50. Masuku, 5. Shitolo, 23. Dube, 14. Van Rooi, 37. Mchunu, 7. Malinga, 33. Phillips, 17. Mhlongo
