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Rhulani Mokwena, coach of Orlando Pirates, October 2019BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates legend frowns upon the suggestion of Rhulani Mokwena taking over from Jose Riveiro - 'Why should we wear old shoes again?'

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  • Riveiro has been with Pirates for three seasons
  • He is now set to leave the Buccaneers
  • Rhulani's name has emerged as a possible replacement
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  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Jose Riveiro will be leaving his role as Orlando Pirates head coach at the end of the current season after three years with the Soweto giants.

    This has sparked speculation about who will replace the Spaniard.

    Names like Pitso Mosimane, Manqoba Mngqithi, Rhulani Mokwena and Benni McCarthy have been thrown around as possible replacements for Riveiro.

    But former Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs feels Mokwena is unfit for the Buccaneers job.

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  • Moeneeb JosephsGallo Images

    WHAT RIVEIRO SAID

    “If we’re looking to bring Rulani Mokwena back at Pirates, as good as he is, why should we wear old shoes again?” Josephs said as per FARPost.

    “From what I remember, when Mokwena was at Pirates, there were a whole lot of issues and tantrums, and our supporters were not too happy about that. 

    “It was boiling when he and Micho were there, the relationship they had, and the way he left, for me, that left a sour taste.”

  • Rhulani Mokwena, Wydad AC,March 2025.Wydad AC

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Mokwena is likely to leave his post as Wydad Casablanca coach at the end of this season.

    That would make him available for a new job, hence his name has featured as a possible replacement for Riveiro.

    This follows a difficult spell in Morocco where success was difficult to strike for him, just like his short-lived stint as Pirates head coach in 2019.

  • Mohamed Chibi & Jose Riveiro, Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC, April 2025Backpagepix

    WHAT NEXT FOR PIRATES?

    For now, the Buccaneers' focus is on Friday's Caf Champions League semi-final, second leg clash with Pyramids FC.

    It is a match Riveiro would want to win and end his tenure having guided the Buccaneers to the final of the continent's premier club competition.

    Attention will then turn to completing a possible quadruple season as Pirates have already bagged the MTN8 title but are in the running for more domestic honours in the league and are due to play Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10.