When Jose Riveiro was unveiled as the new Orlando Pirates coach in June 2022, he had the prophets of doom predicting his failure even before he started on the job. Others were quick to call him a "plumber" – a term used to ridicule coaches who struggle to produce the desired results. But the Spaniard remained resolute and didn't allow any of the negativity to make him take his eyes off the ball. Two seasons have come and gone, and the 48-year- old has already won two Nedbank Cup titles and two MTN8 titles while finishing second on the log for two successive seasons. Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina spoke to some of the people associated with Pirates about Coach Riveiro and what they think the club should do in planning for the new season.
How Riveiro proved his doubters wrong
While his credentials were questioned on his arrival in South African football from Finland, Jose Riveiro has proved how capable he is with the four trophies he won in two seasons. The Nedbank Cup triumph on the last day of the season was Orlando Pirates' second trophy, which they won after beating Mamelodi Sundowns thanks to the Spaniard's meticulous planning and innovative ways of coaching in a true modern football way. For his hard work and achievements, the 48-year-old has been nominated for the DStv Premiership Coach of the Sea- son award along with Sundowns' league-winning mentor Rulani Mokwena and Steve Barker of Stellenbosch FC. Riveiro guided the Soweto giants to a second-place finish as he spearheaded the club's return to the CAF Champions League
Such is the success of the man in such a short space of time. While many feel that Pirates should be genuine contenders to challenge Sundowns in their dominance of the league title, Riveiro has also repeatedly said that his sights are set on the "Big Fish," borrowing from Pitso Mosimane's words.
With Riveiro entering the last year on the three-year contract he signed in 2022, all eyes will be on the mentor to see if he will finally succeed in leading Bucs to the promised land to add to his collection of trophies.
In the coming weeks, more changes are expected at Pirates with regards to the players leaving and coming, with the club already having parted with veteran goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, as well as Kermit Erasmus, Fortune Makaringe, Thabang Monare and Cameroonian striker Souaibou Marou.In the technical team, Riveiro is expected to decide on a second assistant coach following the departure of Sergio Almenara, who worked alongside Mandla Ncikazi next to him on the bench for the past two seasons.To the Bucs' faithful, the mes- sage from Riveiro is clear: the club is cooking.
RIVEIRO'S PIRATES RECORD:
2022/23 season: P30–W16–D6–L8–Pts54
2023/24 season: P30–W14–D8–L8–Pts50
2022 MTN8 winner
2022/23 Nedbank Cup winner
2023 MTN8
2023/24 Nedbank Cup winner
What the Buccaneers think
'He wouldn't be where he is today' James Mothibi – Former Pirates striker
"I was talking to one of the people in the office at Pirates and I commended the coach for the great job that he is doing with the team. Leading the team to a cup double is an achievement that should be cherished. On top of that, the guy has led the team to qualify for the CAF Champions League, and I am very happy with his work-rate. Pirates have had positive progress under his guidance. I am saying this knowing very well that it isn't about individuals at the club but a team effort. If the players didn't adapt to his training methods and philosophy, he wouldn't be where he is today. The way I see it, the coach is enjoying a good working relationship with his players and there is mutual respect among them. Pirates achieved what they have achieved because of team- work. We also have to give credit to the Pirates management for the support they have been giving the coach. In football, if you get support from the management and supporters, your job as a coach is going to be easier. It's those things that lead you to positivity and enthusiasm to push more at training. Once you are like that as a coach, you can only transfer what you feel inside of you to the players while also giving them the love and support.
With the progress that I am seeing at Pirates from the coach and his technical team, I think their target for next season will be the league. I am certain that they will want to add to the collection of trophies that they have won. Lastly, I would like to advise the players that are leaving the club that the most important thing is to accept that a deci- sion has been made and that you have to leave. I know that the chairman is so understanding and is always willing to see everyone being given a chance. If you want to fight for your place in the team, the chairman is someone to speak to; if you want to leave the club, you will get the chairman's blessings. That's the kind of environment that exists at Pirates. A special mention about Richard Ofori, as he is one of the players I have so much respect for, having done so well in his career at club and national team level. He is one of the top goalkeepers to have played for the national team of Ghana. Maybe his departure will benefit him for his next move as he wasn't playing at Pirates. In reinforcing for next season, I would like to see Pirates sign Ismail Watenga from Golden Arrows, although I have just heard that he belongs to Sun- downs but is on loan at Abafana Bes'thende. I'd like to see the addition of (Iqraam) Rayners in the striking department, as well as (Oswin) Appollis on the wing. But the club doesn't need to make a lot of changes."
The only thing that is now left Diana "Lady D" Matli – Pirates Superfan
"It was such a great feeling to beat Sundowns in the final of the Nedbank Cup, because if you check, they have players of high quality and are a great team. I think tactically, the coach (Riveiro) did well by tweaking the line-up. For example, the decision to start Mabasa on the bench confused Sundowns tactically. Everyone predicted the Pirates line-up but unfortunately the coach didn't do what was expected in his selection. He planned for Sundowns in the manner that would distract their plans. Also, the boys were so committed to making sure that they defended the trophy, and thanks to Relebohile Mofokeng's goal, which helped us avoid what could have maybe ended up in penalties and heartaches.
Seeing that the results in the league weren't always as convincing, they needed to make sure that we bagged the cup, and they did so convincingly. What made the fans happier is that it was the second time this season that we beat Sundowns in the final. The supporters love our coach and would like to see him staying for longer. I think for him to make us keep the love and faith that we have for him, he will need to make sure that we fight for the league title. That is the only thing that is now left. Even on social media the supporters are singing the coach's praises and that is good to see. We wish that the team could negotiate with the coach well in advance before his contract ends for him to possibly sign a new one for at least two more years. We don't need to find ourselves in a situation where we would have a new coach who would come with new ideas, strategies, and his own ways of doing things. The players are fond of coach Jose's tactics and everything."
They should be applauded for their efforts Phillip Jwarha – prominent Pirates supporter
"I would like to first thank the management of Orlando Pirates, coaches Jose Riveiro, Mandla Ncikazi, and the rest of the technical team, and lastly, and more importantly, I would like to thank the players for the great job they did. Going all the way to win a cup competition, which started with 32 teams, is no child's play, and they should be applauded for their efforts. There were big teams such as Chiefs and Sundowns that also participated in both trophies that Pirates won, and they were unsuccessful. It's the same thing with the other cup competition; there were eight teams there, and Pirates went all the way. The league is no different, and as I am talking to you, one of the teams has been relegated, another is fighting for survival in the play-offs, others are in the Top Eight, while some have missed out; therefore, finishing second should be celebrated. It's a big achievement, which makes me safely say that we have had such a good season. The challenge now is for the team to win the league and that would be great. For that to happen, I would like to see the coach putting emphasis on the team to win as many games as possible in the first round of the season instead of waiting for the second round to pick up the points. We are taking note of the coach's attempts to challenge Sundowns for the title, and there is hope that it won't be long before we also start winning it."
With the league improving each season and no guarantees of success for anyone these days, as clubs like Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United have stepped up their efforts in challenging for honours, Pirates will need to put their plans into action to challenge for the title before they get pipped to it. As the race for second spot intensified towards the end of the season, it became clear that there are only big and small clubs on paper these days, but on the field, all the sides are equal, and proof of that is the likes of Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune qualifying for the inter-club competitions.
