Despite a stinging defeat in the Nedbank Cup final at the hands of their Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates head coach José Riveiro initially urged his team to swiftly overcome their disappointment and refocus on their remaining league fixtures.
Following the defeat, Riveiro acknowledged the significance of the loss but emphasized the immediate need to shift focus.
“I understand that today was a big game, it’s a final that we’ve lost. And tomorrow we go again because on Tuesday, we’re going to face a test one more time in the league,” he stated.
Read: Jose Riveiro to leave Orlando Pirates before the end of his contract
Looking ahead to their upcoming schedule, Riveiro stressed the importance of a swift return to winning ways. “Now we have to beat Arrows in a few days and then play TS Galaxy, and so on.
Like I said, we don’t have to feel sorry. The pity party ends tomorrow morning and we start to prepare [for] the next one because it’s important to win the next match after a day like today.
“We’ll cry a little bit tonight, metaphorically, and tomorrow we have to regroup, we have to travel back home, we have to recover. Like I said, we cannot feel so sorry about ourselves.”
Orlando Pirates currently sit in second position in the Betway Premiership standings. However, they trail runaway log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a significant 15 points.
Should the Mighty Buccaneers fail to secure a victory against Golden Arrows on Tuesday, Sundowns would be mathematically crowned league champions.
In a surprising turn of events, Orlando Pirates Football Club has now confirmed that the match against Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening will be José Riveiro’s final game in charge.
The club has granted the Spanish coach an early release from his contract, which was originally set to expire at the end of June 2025.
This development adds a significant layer of intrigue to Pirates’ immediate future and casts a new light on Riveiro’s post-match comments. While he urged his players to move past the Nedbank Cup disappointment, it now appears his own tenure at the club is coming to an unexpected end.
The reasons behind this early departure have not yet been officially disclosed, leaving questions about the club’s direction and the timing of this decision.
More to follow …