Jose Riveiro honoured to be praised by fellow coaches for his good work in South African football
6th April 2025
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Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has reiterated that his coming to South Africa has always been about helping his club to be one of the best domestically and continentally, and he believes that they are not far off from that.
Pirates announced on Thursday that Riveiro will not renew his contract, which expires at the end of this season.
This will be the end of an era, as Riveiro has brought success to the Buccaneers since he joined the club three years ago.
Responding to a compliment from Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe, Riveiro had this to say.
"For us as coaches, when you get recognition from our colleagues, I think it's the best one you can get from your own players and your colleagues, and it's something to appreciate,” Riveiro said.
“Like I said many times, I just came here to try to do my best to help my club, to help my team to get better. To improve, to go to a better place, to go to a better level together with the coaching staff and so far, I think we did a good job.
“I will leave it at good, it's for the people to evaluate what we do each and everyday for these players, for the club as well."
In the three years Riveiro has spent in South Africa, he’s twice finished second to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, won five knockout trophies, and is on the verge of reaching the CAF Champions League semifinals.
Mohafe says the Spanish-born coach has contributed positively to South African football.
"Even though that is out of my league but I can say he has done a massive job there. Winning six or five cups in three seasons is not child's play. Winning a cup every season is not child's play, so he has contributed massively to our league," Mohafe said.
Under Riveiro, the average age at Pirates has decreased drastically, and players from the youth structures like Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, and most recently, Mbekezeli Mbokazi are the talk of the town.
He says’ all he’s been trying to do is to play his part.
"And indirectly, for South African football as well, is where we are and like I said, I'm just trying to do my job as good as I can with education and with passion and the consequence of that is getting results,” Riveiro said.
“I understand my space, I understand my position very well, I understand what it means to win or lose in a space like this. Thank you to the coach, thank you to the fans as well, they've been showing me a lot of love in the recent days and happiness."
