Orlando Pirates Drop Final Twist in Jose Riveiro Exit Saga

Orlando Pirates have confirmed that head coach Jose Riveiro will officially part ways with the club this week, bringing an end to a tenure that began with high hopes and yielded impressive silverware. The announcement, published on the club’s official website early Monday morning, has added a dramatic twist to what many believed would be a quiet farewell at the end of the season.

Riveiro, who joined the Buccaneers in 2022 on a three-year deal, will lead the team for the last time on Tuesday when they face Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium. The match is now set to be more than just another DStv Premiership fixture — it marks the closing chapter of a significant era.

Club chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza revealed that the decision had been made some time ago but was deliberately kept under wraps.

“Jose approached us a few weeks ago with a request to be released from his contract ahead of schedule, having signed with a new club,” Khoza explained. “Given the timing, amidst a series of crucial fixtures, we believed it was best to delay this announcement until after the Nedbank Cup Final. His contribution since joining the club has been immense.”

Riveiro’s departure comes on the back of a season filled with mixed results. While he led the team to cup success and helped establish a clear tactical identity, Orlando Pirates have struggled to keep pace with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who are just one point away from clinching their eighth consecutive league title.

With Pirates sitting 15 points adrift and only three games in hand, any hopes of a title challenge now appear purely mathematical. This coaching change may further signal the club’s quiet concession in the title race.

In the wake of Riveiro’s early exit, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi will take over as interim head coach. He’ll be supported by head performance analyst Rayaan Jacobs along with the rest of the technical and support staff.

While Pirates supporters may have hoped for a celebratory send-off, the circumstances around Riveiro’s early release reflect the often unpredictable nature of football management. As the club looks ahead, all eyes will now turn to how Ncikazi manages the remainder of the season — and who could potentially take the helm in the next campaign.

Will Orlando Pirates find stability in this transition, or is this the beginning of a broader reshuffle at Mayfair?