Orlando Pirates Captain Maela Opens Up on Squad’s Reaction to Riveiro’s Imminent Exit
Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has shed light on how the squad has processed the shocking news of head coach Jose Riveiro’s impending departure. The revelation that the Spaniard will not continue beyond his third season came as a bombshell to both the fans and players, who were left stunned when the club confirmed the news last week.
Riveiro’s Legacy at Pirates
Since arriving in July 2022, Riveiro has transformed the Buccaneers into a dominant force in South African football, particularly in cup competitions. Under his leadership, Pirates have lifted five trophies, cementing their reputation as cup specialists. His departure marks the end of an era, but his players now have the chance to give him a historic farewell gift—a CAF Champions League title.
No South African team has won Africa’s most prestigious club trophy since Mamelodi Sundowns triumphed under Pitso Mosimane in 2016. Pirates, who carry a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Algeria, will need to overcome MC Alger in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday to keep their continental dream alive.
Maela: “We Need to Stay Focused”
Despite the emotional impact of Riveiro’s exit, Maela emphasized the importance of remaining focused on the task at hand.
“I think we had our discussions, we had our meetings, and we all decided that it’s time we put all our attention and focus on the competitions that we still need to compete in,” said Maela.
“We believe the time will come for all those moments, but for now, from the players’ side, we need to focus and put all our attention into applying ourselves.”
Pirates Chasing Multiple Titles
Beyond their Champions League ambitions, the Buccaneers are also in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and remain in the conversation for the Betway Premiership title. With silverware still within reach on multiple fronts, Pirates will be eager to channel their emotions into strong performances as they look to send Riveiro off in the best possible way.
The coming weeks will be defining for the Soweto giants, and all eyes will be on how they respond to both the pressure of their title chase and the looming departure of their head coach.
