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Mandla Ncikazi - Jose Riveiro GFX GOAL
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Did Jose Riveiro leave with his magic touch? Signs that Orlando Pirates could struggle without the ‘Spanish Guitar’ in the 2025-26 season

Orlando Pirates began life without their former head coach, Jose Riveiro, with a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in the league.

Riveiro dumped Pirates with a handful of matches remaining until the end of the season after it became clear that his side would not catch champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Spaniard is set to be announced as the new Al Ahly head coach in Egypt, where he will hope to go on and further improve his impressive CV.

Over the past three seasons, Riveiro has built a solid Pirates team, introducing some talented youngsters who have taken Bucs to another level.

But as Pirates played their first game without one of their most successful coaches in recent memory, there was a sense that they could regress in seasons to come.

This puts more pressure on the powers that be at the club to ensure that they make the right appointment as Riveiro’s replacement.

Here, GOAL looks at what Pirates need to do to avoid regressing next season without the astute tactician, something their fans must be beginning to fear.

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  • Mandla Ncikazi and Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Ncikazi not on Riveiro’s level

    After Riveiro's departure, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi was the natural replacement, on an interim basis for now.

    The 49-year-old mentor served as assistant coach during Riveiro’s three-season stay with Pirates. 

    Nikazi joined the Sea Robbers in July 2022 and went on to win two Nedbank Cup titles and three successive MTN8 trophies under the Spaniard.

    However, the period prior, where he served as co-head coach alongside Fadlu Davids, was less successful and indicated that Ncikazi was not at the level required to lead a team of Bucs’ calibre.

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  • Mokwena, McCarthy and Mosimane GFX GOAL

    Get a proven winner

    There’s no doubt that Pirates need a coach who is at the level or even better than their former coach Riveiro to continue where the Spaniard left off.

    The problem, for Bucs, is that there are not too many coaches of that quality available, but there are some names that top the list.

    The likes of Pitso Mosimane, Rhulani Mokwena and Benni McCarthy have been linked with the vacant Bucs post, but they will not come cheap.

    Of course, Pirates are no strangers to appointing relatively unknown coaches from Europe, who, like Riveiro, arrive with much scepticism before winning the hearts of the Bucs faithful.

  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Need to find another gear 

    Whoever replaces Riveiro will have a tough task on their hands with expectations high after a successful tenure from the Spaniard.

    It is safe to say Riveiro brought Pirates as far as he possibly could, winning five trophies and reaching the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League.

    The one thing, though, that continued to elude the tactician was the PSL title, where his side consistently fell short to the Mamelodi Sundowns juggernaut.

    The next coach has the tough task of maintaining and then improving the level Pirates have produced over the past few seasons.

  • Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates, May 2025Backpage

    Transfer window crucial 

    The incoming coach will be taking over a solid team with some of the best young talent the PSL has to offer, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

    The fact that Pirates continue to fall short in the race for the league title is an indication that their squad is not at the level of Sundowns.’

    The addition of a couple more quality players could be key in helping the Buccaneers go up another level and push Sundowns even harder next season.

  • Jose Riveiro - Nedbank Cup - GFX GOAL

    Silverware a must 

    Although Riveiro left Pirates without winning the league title, his five trophies (three MTN8 and two Nedbank Cup) more than made up for that disappointment.

    It is crucial for Pirates to find a coach who will continue the winning culture at the club and ensure their demanding supporters are satisfied.

    Riveiro’s replacement will be under pressure from the start, expected to compete for every available trophy, and failure to land a few will likely cost them their job.

  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Dive Deeper