Orlando Pirates Players and Staff Urge Jose Riveiro to Extend His Stay
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has been urged to extend his stay at the club as uncertainty continues to surround his future. With his contract set to expire at the end of June, discussions over a potential renewal are gaining momentum.
Since arriving in South Africa, the Spanish tactician has transformed Pirates into a dominant force, securing five trophies in just under three seasons. The Buccaneers are also in contention for more silverware this season, having reached the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Despite his success, Riveiro’s future remains uncertain. Pirates are expected to offer him a new deal, but whether he will accept remains unclear, especially given the time he has spent away from his family in Spain.
Speaking on Bucs Camp, a show aired on SuperSport TV, both club captain Tapelo Xoki and assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi expressed their hopes that Riveiro will stay beyond the current season.
“We’ve built a strong powerhouse in terms of the team that we have assembled over the last three years, and it won’t sit well with many of us for him to leave. It will unsettle a lot of things. I hope he doesn’t leave,” said Xoki.
Ncikazi echoed similar sentiments, but acknowledged that football is unpredictable. “Working in football is like checking in at a hotel. Others stay for one day, others stay for two days, others stay for a month – but at the end, we all check out!” he said. “I do have my personal wishes. If the project works so well, why should it be spoilt? But let’s keep the hopes high and also trust the vision of our management that they will always take the right decision.”
Pirates are currently second in the league standings with 11 matches remaining. As the season draws to a close, the club’s management will be eager to secure Riveiro’s future, ensuring that the momentum built under his leadership is not lost.
