Riveiro’s Emotional Farewell: “Once A Buccaneer, Always A Buccaneer”
Outgoing Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro has affirmed his commitment to the club, stating that he will always be a Buccaneer and cannot envision himself coaching any other PSL team besides the Soweto Giants.
Riveiro stood on the touchline for the final time as Pirates convincingly defeated Golden Arrows in their Betway Premiership match at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
Following the game, Riveiro addressed the club’s supporters and was visibly moved as the players lifted him in celebration and gave him a guard of honour. This emotional display came after a successful three-season tenure during which he secured five trophies and finished as runner-up three times.
A potential sixth trophy slipped through their fingers this past weekend when they lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, preventing them from achieving a third consecutive title in a competition they had won in the previous two seasons.
Pirates also enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s CAF Champions League, narrowly losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids in the semi-final. Pyramids are now set to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged final later this month and early next month.
“I will never coach any other team in South Africa. I am a Buccaneer, and Orlando Pirates is the only club where I could find the motivation, courage, energy, and heart to coach in South Africa,” Riveiro declared.
This statement underscores his deep affection for Pirates, particularly amidst strong links suggesting a potential move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi is expected to lead the team until the end of the current season.
“No, nothing,” Riveiro replied when asked if there was anything he would have done differently during his time with the club.
“Our failures, our battles. What we did during the process, everything I did came from honesty, from the intention to help the team.
“I never asked for a protagonist for the spotlight; I always tried to be loyal to the club, to the things in the project, for the team, for the players, and not for us or myself in this case.
“So, there is no regret. We put everything in every game, I promise you. In every preparation, build-up, when we analyse, every plus one, plus two, in every half time – we gave everything we have, day after day.”
