Itumeleng Khune believes Kaizer Chiefs have an edge over Orlando Pirates in Nedbank Cup final due to Jose Riveiro's exit announcement - 'I think it destabilised the players because a lot of their form has dropped'

Orlando Pirates announced in early April that Jose Riveiro is leaving the Soweto giants when the current term concludes.

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune believes the announcement of the Spaniard's departure is affecting Pirates' form.

These are sentiments also shared by former Pirates star Bruce Ramokadi and Khune fears it could destabilise Riveiro's men in Saturday's Nedbank Cup final against Amakhosi.

“Coming to Riveiro and the announcement, the timing was off. I think it destabilised the players, because a lot of their form has dropped,” Khune told Soccer Laduma.

“When a coach leaves and another comes in, that coach might bring his own players. That coach might not play you. He might say, ‘I’ve been watching Pirates from last season, and I’m not happy with so and so.’

"It affects players mentally. You think: 'I’ve cemented my place, I’ve worked hard, I’ve won the coach’s heart, now he’s leaving. Suddenly, it feels like we’re all back on trial,'" added the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.

“You could see that with some players it’s not fatigue, it’s mental exhaustion. They’re trying everything, but it’s a feeling of, ‘Why must I impress the coach? He’ll be gone next season.’”

Riveiro is now left with six matches before Pirates conclude their 2024/25 season and that includes Saturday's Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs.

After missing out on the Caf Champions League, the Nedbank Cup is a competition the Spaniard is targeting to end his time at Pirates in style by winning it for the third season in a row.

Already, the Buccaneers have the MTN8 in their trophy cabinet and have an opportunity to finish the season with another cup double, should they beat Amakhosi on Saturday.

The Buccaneers are wrapping up their preparations to clinch an historical third straight Nedbank Cup for Riveiro to sign off on a high.

But they come up against Amakhosi who are hard-pressed to win their first piece of silverware in a decade.

In the league they sit 12 points off Sundowns in first position and even with The Bucs having two games in hand, surely the PSL title is out of their grasp.