Former Orlando Pirates captain and defender Innocent Maela has offered key insight into the departure of successful Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, arguing that the club made the correct and necessary decision to part ways.
Riveiro, who delivered multiple domestic trophies during his three demanding seasons, had, according to Maela, simply reached his limit.
Speaking candidly on the Lemii LoCo On Sports YouTube channel, Maela, who recently retired after a respected career with the Buccaneers, revealed the toll the intense coaching role had taken on the Spaniard.
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“You could see he was tired,” Maela disclosed. “If he had continued, the club might have gone backwards instead of forward. He needed a break because he gave everything he had.”
Maela, who served as captain under Riveiro, acknowledged the coach’s significant achievements, hailing him as “one of the best in our history.” That being said, he stressed that the continuous, high-pressure workload had finally caught up.
“He did so much for the club… But he’d reached his limit. It was time for him to rest and for the club to move on,” he explained.
A New Chapter Under Abdeslam Ouaddou
Riveiro’s successor, Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, has since injected a renewed energy and direction that Maela believes the team needed.
This shift is already yielding results: the new coach has already secured the MTN8 title and is actively challenging for the Carling Black Label Knockout, the CAF Champions League, and the Betway Premiership title.
While Ouaddou initially promised to maintain Riveiro’s foundation, he has progressively stamped his own distinct identity on the squad.
This new era is marked by:
Significant Roster Overhaul: Ouaddou brought in 14 new signings to reshape the team.
Direct Play: The team now emphasizes quick transitions and coordinated pressing, moving away from Riveiro’s more patient, possession-heavy build-up in favor of swift advancement into the final third.
Maela leaves behind a proud legacy, having risen through the Pirates ranks, played for Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal Zulu, before becoming a key figure and one of the club’s most respected captains.
His post-retirement tribute, attended by current and former PSL stars, underscored the admiration his professionalism earned across South African football.