This past weekend, Riveiro led his team to MTN8 glory with a commanding 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC. The win secured the Buccaneers their third consecutive MTN8 title – a record-breaking feat never before achieved in the Premier Soccer League era.

Riveiro, the once little-known Spaniard faced scepticism from parts of the football community when he joined the club two years ago. Critics questioned his so-called lack of experience, with some even resorting to derogatory labels, dismissing him as a “plumber.” But the then 46-year-old (now 49) took the higher road and focused on his work.

“I have been hired by the Club. We are going to work to make history together and build a team we are all proud of. I don’t spend time thinking about what people say about me. My work must do the talking for me,” he declared at the time.

And talk it has. In just 830 days at the helm, Riveiro’s accomplishments have reverberated throughout South African football. Under his guidance, the Mighty Buccaneers have roared back into a competitive force.

Three MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup trophies, and back-to-back second place finishes in the Betway Premiership are a testament to his leadership.

The Numbers Game

To truly appreciate Riveiro’s performance over the last two and a half years, a look at the numbers is revealing:

Win Ratio:

Riveiro has secured 58 wins, 17 draws, and 20 losses in 95 matches, giving him a win ratio of 60%. This ranks him second (alongside Mike Makaab) only to Julio Leal, who achieved a 64% win ratio, albeit from just 28 matches.

1. Top 3 Coaches by Win Ratio:
2. Julio Leal: 64%
3. Jose Riveiro: 60% / Mike Makaab: 60%
4. Ted Dumitru: 54%

Total Wins:
With 58 wins, Riveiro ranks second in total victories, behind only Ruud Krol, who managed 65 wins in 125 matches between 2008 and 2011.

Top 3 Coaches by Total Wins:

1. Ruud Krol: 65
2. Jose Riveiro: 58
3. Mike Makaab: 41

Personal Sacrifice

Even more remarkable than the numbers are, the personal sacrifice Riveiro has made for the success of Orlando Pirates. For all the joy he has brought to the “Happy People” – as Pirates supporters are affectionately known, his achievements have come at a significant personal cost.

As Napoleon Hill once said, “Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness.” Riveiro’s journey exemplifies this truth.

In 2022, Riveiro arrived in South Africa with two trusted colleagues, Sergio Almenara and Michel Bellver, to work on the Pirates Project. However, both eventually left, unable to adapt to the challenges of living far from family. But Riveiro, ever the captain, remained steadfast, navigating these same difficulties while steering his team through the challenging football season.

The emotional strain was evident after the recent MTN8 victory against Stellenbosch FC. As the final whistle blew, cameras captured a poignant moment: Riveiro crouched down, tears streaming from his eyes. These were not just tears of joy but also a reflection of the immense personal sacrifices he has made, many of which remain hidden from public view.

What many don’t know, for two long years, Riveiro has been separated from his wife and young daughter, enduring the isolation of distance while shouldering the weight of leading a football giant like Orlando Pirates. The mental toll of working away from family, compounded by the unrelenting demands of top-level coaching, would have broken many. Yet Riveiro has persevered, driven by a profound sense of duty to the club and its supporters.

In the face of adversity, Riveiro has remained the epitome of selflessness. His commitment to this institution and its success has never wavered, even at the expense of his own personal well-being.

Now, with the FIFA break offering a temporary respite, Riveiro finally has the chance to reconnect with his family – a long-overdue reunion for a man who has given so much of himself for the greater good.

#AppreciationPost 

Following two legs of intense semi-final action, the Buccaneers go through after winning 3-1
on aggregate.With a perfect win record on home soil so far this season, the Buccaneers were aiming for
more of the same in their third outing at the iconic venue. They dominated possession early on, but found themselves having to do a bit of defending of their own with defender Thabiso Sesane and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine both called upon as the visitors manufactured some bright moments inside the opening quarter.

Most of the play was however concentrated inside City’s half of the field and it did not take long for the breakthrough which came in the 25th minute. This was courtesy of a cleverly-worked set move initiated from a short corner, as a pinpoint cross from Relebohile Mofokeng located Tshegofatso Mabasa, who opened his account for the season with a lovely header into the bottom corner.

Thalente Mbatha looked to double Pirates’ lead in the 36th minute through a long-range effort, but could only fire wide as the hosts piled pressure on the opposition. The second of the afternoon did not remain elusive for too long with Deon Hotto making it 2-0 one minute from the break through a free kick taken right in front of City’s goal, leaving goalkeeper Darren Keet with no chance.

Pirates emerged from the tunnel looking to create further daylight between themselves and
the Capetonians and had an opportunity to pull three-goals ahead through Mabasa. The
Bucs striker pounced on some slack defending from Lorenzo Gordinho before working his
way into a one-on-one situation with Keet, who pulled off an excellent save to keep his side
in the game. The City shot-stopper however came second best in the 65th minute, this time going one-on-one with Mofokeng who was able to dribble past him only to place his shot on the side
netting.

The visitors had a chance to pull one back through a long-range attempt from Heaven Seeretsi, but Chaine had positioned himself perfectly to complete a fairly comfortable stop with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

With time running out for City, midfielder Kayden Francis went wide with an ambitious shot
from range. This was followed by an acrobatic attempt at the other end deep in injury time
from the boot of Evidence Makgopa, who fired off target after connecting with a cross from
Hotto.

Having scored three times over the two legs, the Soweto Giants had done enough in the end
as they marched to the final, where they await the result of the second semi-final between
Stellenbosch and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah, Monyane (Maela 62’), Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Timm
72’), Maswanganyi, Saleng (Dlamini 88’), Mofokeng (Gilberto 72’), Mabasa (Makgopa 88’)

Form Guide

It has so far been a season of do-or-die outings for the home team, who have been by far the busier of the two throughout the month.Pirates will be taking to the field for the fifth time since the start of the campaign as they look to continue their participation in two separate cup competitions.

They beat SuperSport United at home in the MTN8 quarter-finals and later advanced in the CAF Champions League after a 4-0 victory against Madagascar’s Disciples, who had held them to a goalless draw on the road.

Fresh off another stalemate away from home, the Buccaneers will be eager to maintain a winning streak at Orlando Stadium, where victory guarantees them a spot in their fifth cup final in two years.

They come up against a side that will be encouraged by their strong finish to their home leg of the semi-final tie, where they claimed a vital equaliser to prevent an uphill climb on their visit to Soweto. It was only the second fixture of the season for City, who edged past Sekhukhune United in their quarter-final which took place in the second week of August.

With just three days between fixtures this time around, they will have dusted off the cobwebs as they look to become the first team to knock Pirates out of the MTN8 in three years.

Team News

Injured new signing Carlinhos is likely to miss out once again for City as he continues to recover from a knee injury picked up in the off-season. Another recent recruit that may not feature is Amadou Soukona, who was not part of the match day squad on Wednesday as he awaited his work permit.

The Buccaneers meanwhile handed a debut to Angolan forward Gilberto, who could have a bigger role to play on home turf, while Deano van Rooyen is unavailable for the remainder of the tournament as he is cup-tied after turning out for Stellenbosch in the quarterfinals.

On the injury front, Tapelo Xoki and Bandile Shandu edge closer to a return and could be in action in the coming weeks.

Key Players

Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates): The tall defender has established himself as one of the leaders in the Bucs setup, and will be key in a game where the hosts are determined to keep things tight at the back. Ndah is not only crucial in derailing the opposition as they push forward, but has also proven crucial in initiating attacks from deep.

Jaedin Rhodes (Cape Town City): The young forward will be buoyed by his performance in the first leg, where netted the equaliser to enhance his side’s chances in the tie. Rhodes finished last season with seven goal contributions and has found the net in each of his last three appearances for City.

Head-to-Head

The first leg produced the ninth stalemate between Pirates and City in 18 meetings across competitions. This ended a run of four consecutive games that have produced a winner.

In a rivalry that kicked off nearly eight years ago, the Buccaneers remain unbeaten at Orlando Stadium where they boast four wins including a victory in their only home cup fixture against the Citizens.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 and will be televised live on SuperSport PSL and SABC Sport. You can also follow live updates posted across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms.

Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.

They looked to assert themselves immediately after the first whistle, seamlessly working their way into opposition territory where they spent much of the game’s early exchanges. Notable opportunities at goal were however rare throughout the first 10 minutes with the hosts managing to keep the Buccaneers out of the final third.

Their resolute defence was eventually breached as the two sides only remained level for 15 minutes. The crucial breakthrough was provided by Relebohile Mofokeng, who got ahold of a lovely ball from deep before cutting inside from the left and firing through goalkeeper Darren Keet, who managed to get a hand on the ball but could not stop it from crossing the line. City hit back with a determined attack which yielded their first real attempt at Sipho Chaine’s goal, but the Bucs shot-stopper proved equal to the task as he displayed excellent reflexes in keeping out a powerfully-struck shot from Prins Tjiueza.

He followed it up with another brilliant stop in the 24th minute, this time denying Darwin Gonzales who had gotten on the end of a cross from Jaedin Rhodes. Mofokeng looked to double his tally at the other end, launching an attack from the flank as he did to put Pirates ahead, but could only fire wide this time around.

The home side could have had the final say in the opening period as they went close through Rhodes, who was fouled by Chaine. A combination of sustained pressure brought on by City and unforced errors kept the Buccaneers pinned inside their own half throughout the early part of the second period.

The home side had opportunities to draw level foiled by the defensive pair of Thabiso Sesane
and Olisa Ndah, while Chaine remained steady behind the sticks. It took an unlucky touch to break past the shot-stopper’s defence as City equalised after the hour mark when Rhodes’ effort from the edge of the box caught a deflection that guided it into the net. The men from the Cape maintained their tempo, with the battle between Rhodes and Chaine continuing in the 66th minute as the City attacker drew another save from the Bucs keeper.

Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Pirates managed to push forward late in the contest before Deon Hotto fired a shot at goal from a tight angle, but Keet had his near post covered. It remained level at the end of 90 minutes, with the two side set to battle it out once more in the deciding leg in Soweto on Saturday.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah, Monyane, Hotto, Mbatha, Dlamini (Maela 87’), Saleng
(Gilberto 76’), Maswanganyi, Mofokeng (Makhaula 67’), Mabasa (Makgopa 76’)

Four days after advancing in the CAF Champions League, the Soweto Giants turn their focus to domestic cup action as they look to draw first blood in the first fixture in their two-legged match-up against the men from the Mother City.

Form Guide

The fixture comes after a tricky outing for Pirates, who were able to see off Malagasy champions ,Disciples FC in the deciding leg of the First Preliminary Round clash at Orlando Stadium on Friday. They won 4-0 after a goalless draw on the away leg played in Mauritius five days prior, ensuring progress into the play-off round of the Champions League.

It was yet another successful cup tie for the Buccaneers, who had disposed of SuperSport United in their MTN8 quarter-final on home soil. With seven goals scored in their first three games of the season, Pirates will look to find the net a few more times in what could be a testing assignment on the road against a well-rested City outfit.

The home side have been able to channel all their focus towards the upcoming clash against the Buccaneers since booking their spot in the semis. They did so by beating Sekhukhune United 1-0 courtesy of a late penalty converted by Darwin Gonzales.

Now taking to the field once more after two weeks of no competitive action, Eric Tinkler’s men will look to use the lengthy rest to their advantage against a battle-tested Bucs outfit.

Team News

Pirates have had a few boosts heading into the clash with Thabiso Monyane and Miguel Timm both returning to action on Friday after short injury layoffs, while new signing Gilberto has since become available for selection.

For City, Angolan midfielder Carlinhos is sidelined after picking up a knee injury in the lead-up to the clash against the Buccaneers.

The Citizens have however further bolstered their squad, with former French youth international Amadou Soukona and ex-Moroka Swallows defender Ntsikelelo Ngqonga among the latest talents roped in during the ongoing transfer window.

Key Players

Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates): A tireless workhorse out wide, Saleng has a knack of delivering the goods in clutch moments and will be crucial for the Buccaneers across the two legs. The 26-year-old is already off the mark this season, and is fresh off another eye-catching performance in Pirates’ win over Disciples.

Jaedin Rhodes (Cape Town City): The attacking midfielder’s star rose exponentially in the previous season, as he featured in all but one of City’s fixtures. Able to operate on either wing as well as more centrally, Rhodes ended the season with goals in each of his last two appearances last season and will be determined to kick on during the early part of the ongoing campaign.

Head-to-Head

Pirates’ last MTN8 clash against Cape Town City dates back to 2020 where a lone strike from Terrence Dzvukamanja sent the Buccaneers into the last four on their way to picking up the first of their three titles claimed in the last four years. This is also the most recent cup encounter between the two sides, who boast a win apiece in their two previous meetings in knockout football.

As they head to the Mother City for the away leg, the Soweto Giants will be buoyed by their recent record against the men from the Cape having won each of their last three matches, including their most recent clash on the road.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The game kicks off at 19:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC Sport. You can also follow live updates posted across Orlando Pirates social media platforms.

Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro as well as selected outlets nationwide.

The Soweto Giants are gunning for an unprecedented third straight title in Top-Eight competition having successfully defended their 2022 title with another triumph in the previous edition of the tournament.

They made it past the first hurdle in the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season, beating Gauteng rivals SuperSport United 3-1 at Orlando Stadium, where it took 120 minutes to determine a winner after the initial 90 minutes finished deadlocked at a goal apiece. City meanwhile claimed a narrow win in their quarter-final clash away to Sekhukhune United where Darwin Gonzales netted a late penalty to send the visitors into the last four.

With the remaining spots decided over the past weekend, Jose Riveiro’s troops have been drawn against the men from the Mother City in what will be the first MTN8 clash between the two sides since they locked horns in the 2020 quarter-finals. On that occasion it was the Buccaneers who triumphed with a 1-0 win at Orlando Stadium, with Terrence Dzvukamanja’s first-half strike proving to be the winner in the end.

As current defending champions, Pirates are chasing their 13th Top Eight title while their opponents look to keep their hopes of their second triumph in the competition alive.

The Premier Soccer League is set to confirm match dates, venues, and kick-off times in due course.

It was the men from Tshwane who enjoyed most of the early opportunities, largely due a nervy start from the home side. The best of their early chances fell to veteran striker Bradley Grobler, who fired wide from the edge of the box following a turnover of possession in the middle of the park.

Former Pirates midfielder Vincent Pule had a similar opportunity in the 12th minute, but only
succeeded in launching the ball over the crossbar. The Buccaneers could only kick into gear midway into the first half, and had their first real shot at goal courtesy of Relebohile Mofokeng who was perfectly-positioned to finish off a smart move towards the penalty area, but could only produce a wayward attempt.

United keeper Ricardo Goss was called into action moments later, with Tshegofatso Mabasa
producing an excellent turn to evade his marker before drawing a save from the outstretched
shot-stopper. The hosts continued to probe, with Patrick Maswanganyi getting close on the half-hour mark with a firmly-struck shot from range deflected wide by Goss. When it looked as if the two sides were set to head to the break still deadlocked, defender Olisa Ndah put Pirates ahead with a clever flick from close range as Monnapule Saleng revived the Bucs following the visitors’ failure to clear the threat from a set piece.

After trailing at the break, United emerged from the tunnel more energized and were
immediately rewarded for their drive as Pule nodded home in the 49th minute to make it 1-1. The Soweto Giants enjoyed a promising spell around the hour mark, pushing successive waves of attack deep inside the opposition half without affecting the scoreline. This period saw Mofokeng denied twice in the span of two minutes by Goss, followed by a narrow attempt from Mabasa who headed wide after connecting with a superb cross from Maswanganyi.

The Matsatsansa shot-stopper thwarted Saleng in the 76th minute, parrying the ball into the
path of Mabasa who could not direct his volley into the net. Neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, with the game eventually going into extra time. The Buccaneers had the perfect start to the extended period, with Saleng drawing them ahead after getting on the end of a brilliantly-worked set play just two minutes after the restart.

With United looking to force the game into a shootout, Sipho Chaine came up with an excellent stop to keep out a seemingly goal-bound shot from Nyiko Mobbie hit from close range. The visitors faced an uphill climb in the second period of extra time when substitute striker extended the home side’s lead when he pounced on a loose ball outside the box, directing it into the net to make it 3-1.

It could have been four goals to one in the final minute if not for the upright, which denied Kabelo Dlamini as he went for goal from just inside the box. However, the defending champions had done just enough to ensure a winning start to the new campaign as they sealed their spot in the last four.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Monyane, Hotto, Makhaula (Dlamini 72’), Mbatha ,
Saleng, Mofokeng (Kimvuidi 90’), Maswanganyi, Mabasa (Makgopa 84’).

The hard-working right back was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from defender Musaab Khidir. As a result of that tackle, the Bucs medical team has confirmed that Lebitso has suffered a knee injury which rules him out for at least three months. Another casualty to come out of the match against Al Sadd is Miguel Timm who is set to undergo a late fitness test. The 32-year old is currently nursing an ankle injury.

Full Injury List
1. Paseka Mako (knee) : has concluded his rehabilitation stage and will now start
partial training. Estimated Date of Return: September 2024.

2. Tapelo Xoki (knee) : has entered intermediate rehab phase. Estimated Date of
Return: end September 2024.

3. Goodman Mosele (knee) : also in intermediate rehab phase. Estimated Date of
Return: November 2024.

4. Zakhele Lepasa (ankle) : acute rehab phase. Estimated Date of Return: TBC
upon further assessment.

5. Boitumelo Radiopane (abductor) : acute rehab phase. Estimated Date of
Return: TBC upon further assessment.

6. Bandile Shandu (ankle) : intermediate rehabilitation phase. Estimated Date of
Return: mid September 2024.

It’s a do-or-die fixture for both sides to start the campaign as Pirates look to further underline
their status as the dominant force in the prestigious tournament, while United will be eyeing an improved performance after falling on the first hurdle in the previous season.

Form Guide
The two Gauteng rivals come off a productive off-season consisting of friendly fixtures as
they prepared for a testing campaign ahead. Matsatsansa’s trip to Botswana featured victories against Masitoaka, Gaborone United, and Botswana Defence Force (BDF XI), with their only defeat coming against African Stars.

They netted an impressive 10 goals in the process while only letting in three, and their 7-1 win against BDF XI stands out as the biggest winning margin on their tour. The men from Tshwane now set their sights on the Buccaneers, who took to Spain once more for their pre-season preparations before completing their fine-tuning in more familiar surroundings.

In their four matches on tour, Pirates shared the spoils with Plymouth Argyle and Granada at
the Banùs Football Centre, while their trip to Seville yielded a 2-0 win against La Liga outfit
Sevilla. They concluded their stay in Marbella with a defeat against Qatar champions Al-Sadd, who
won 3-2 with Tshegofatso Mabasa’s quick brace in the first half not enough to ensure an
unbeaten tour.

Having taken part in more practice matches at home, the Soweto Giants will look to hit the
ground running in their first game of the season as they look to be the first side in history to
win the MTN8 three consecutive times.

Team News
The off-season has presented both sides the opportunity to bolster their respective squads, with the likes of Gilberto, Thuso Moleleki, and former United midfielder Selaelo Rasebotja each eyeing a competitive debut in Pirates colours on Saturday. The Buccaneers will also be missing some key squad members as Tapelo Xoki and Paseka Mako remain among those on the injury list after finishing the previous season sidelined.

Their opponents have meanwhile unveiled six new faces ahead of the new campaign, with
ex-Buccaneer Vincent Pule joining the likes of Pogiso Sanoka and Keanin Ayer who signed
from TS Galaxy and Danish outfit Næstved, respectively. Along with Rasebotja’s transfer to Pirates, there have been other departures in the form of Shandre Campbell and Kegan Johannes who are among those who will be turning out in different colours in the new season.

Key Players
Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates): One of the biggest revelations in the previous campaign, Mbatha enjoyed a fruitful spell in his first six months as a Buccaneer and will be eager to build on that as the new campaign kicks off. The quality possessed by the 24-year-old adds an extra dimension to the Bucs midfield, with his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively proving key.

Grant Margeman (SuperSport United): The midfield workhorse has been an energetic presence in the middle of the park, covering plenty of ground across the engine room. Margeman enjoyed a stellar campaign last time out, featuring in all but two of his side’s fixtures in domestic competition.

Head-to-Head
The 2023/24 season ended with Pirates and United locking horns at the same venue in a league fixture that ended deadlocked at 1-1 after Mabasa’s 41st minute strike was cancelled out in the second half by Gape Moralo.

This was yet another tight clash between the two sides who have had a tight rivalry over the
years, with the Buccaneers edging Matsatsansa with five wins to four in their last 12 encounters. The Tshwane outfit has however had the upper hand in knockout competition in recent years, winning each of their last four cup games against their Soweto counterparts.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info
Kick-off is at 18:00 and the game will be broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC 1. Orlando Pirates will provide live updates across the Club’s social media channels. Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro and selected outlets nationwide.

“We are looking forward to starting the season on a positive note,” said Maela.

“We are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead of us this weekend. SuperSport United are a very tough side. Matches against them are never easy and we cannot, and will not underestimate them.” The reigning champions will kick off their title defence at home against Matsatsantsa on Saturday, 03 August 2024.

This year’s MTN8 comes with a significant incentive. The winners will walk away with a grand prize of R10 million – a significant increase from the R8 million from last year.