Shortly after guiding champions Mamelodi Sundowns to an unprecedented seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title, head coach Rulani Mokena took time to heap huge praise on Orlando Pirates counterpart Jose Riveiro.
It was mixed feelings for Mokwena at the end of the final whistle in their 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on the final day of the season even though a few good records tumbled under his mentorship at the Chloorkop-based outfit.
Mokwena is the clear favourite to walk away with the DStv Premiership Coach of the Season award, where he has been nominated alongside Riveiro and Steve Barker of Stellenbosch FC.
Sundowns and Pirates will also be representing South Africa at Africa’s premium club competition, the CAF Champions League, next season, and Mokwena has hailed Riveiro as a respectful individual with sportsmanship.
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“Jose Riveiro apart from him, I like Jose so much. I really do,” Rulani told journalists in his post-match conference.
“Every time I meet him I get a genuine sense of respect. Like a genuine sense of sportsmanship.
“He’s a fierce competitor but he’s good person you know.”
Riveiro is yet to suffer a loss against Mokwena in cup competition meetings. Last season, the Spanish mentor led the Buccaneers past Sundowns in the semi-final of the MTN8, walking away comfortable 3-0 winners across both legs. This season, Pirates came out tops again, beating Sundowns 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final of the same competition.
The two coaches face off in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, June 1.
