Orlando Pirates secured a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows in Jose Riveiro’s farewell fixture before his move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly this week.
Pirates announced on Monday that Riveiro will be leaving after tonight’s fixture, given permission to depart early to join the new club he had signed for.
He is set to depart to Cairo on Wednesday with Carlos Paz as his assistant, while Rayaan Jacobs will also form part of his technical team, but will see out the season with the Buccaneers.
In an emotional, icy evening at eSgodini, the fans who turned out paid tribute to one of the most succesful coaches for the club in the Premier Soccer League era, who leaves with five domestic cups and a 62% win ratio, added to a club record wins total for the club.
From the first match in charge at the same venue, a 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows, Riveiro’s side entertained with purpose and his squad produced just that as a send off, with the legacy he leaves behind Relebohile Mofokeng showing magic to set up Tshegofatso Mabasa for a stunning opening goal mid-way through the first half.
Bandile Shandu bundled home the second on the hour mark before Kabelo Dlamini slotted home a free-kick for a third, which turned out to look like an exhibition match – as Mofokeng ran the show.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Mohau Nkota and Camren Dansin who made his debut in the second half were the fellow DStv Diski Challenge graduates part of the squad that’s likely set up for a major future at the club, while goalkeeper Sipho Chaine rose from relative obscurity as a back-up goalkeeper at Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United into a key figure and full senior South Africa international.
This is part of the legacy he leaves behind, despite being unable to win a league during his three-year stint, three consecutive CAF Champions League qualifications, six domestic cup finals and the CAF Champions League semi-final run, will live long in the memory of Buccaneers supporters, who provided a rapturous send off in Soweto.
The win, mathematically keeps their title hopes alive, but league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns need just one point from their final two games to wrap up their eighth consecutive crown.
