Orlando Pirates urged to stick with Mandla Ncikazi as permanent head coach after Jose Riveiro’s exit - 'Bringing in someone new is not always ideal'

Jose Riveiro has taken charge of his final game as Orlando Pirates head coach, ending his tenure on a high with a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows. The Spaniard leaves the club as a legend, having brought silverware, structure, and identity to the team.

His departure marks the end of an era, but not the end of the progress he's helped build. Former Bucs winger Bennett Chenene, who hails from the same township as rising star Relebohile Mofokeng, weighed in on the coaching change.

Chenene believes there’s no need to look outside for a replacement, urging the club to trust assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi as he understands the Pirates system and can carry on the foundation Riveiro has laid.

"You know what, I feel they should continue with the same technical team. Ncikazi should continue because a new coach would come in and change everything. Coaches come in with different ideas, but the current technical team has the system that Riveiro had," Chenene said as reported by Soccer Laduma.

"Bringing in someone new is not always ideal. You are starting from scratch and then you can go through the period where they are no trophies. So, they should just continue with Ncikazi and then they can take it from there. That's my advice for Pirates."

With four games remaining in the season, Orlando Pirates have announced that Mandla Ncikazi will take over as interim coach.

This gives the club a chance to assess his capability to lead the team full-time. If he manages to maintain stability and results, he could be handed the job on a permanent basis.

The board will be watching closely, especially as the team pushes to secure a strong finish. For now, all eyes are on how Ncikazi handles the pressure and opportunity.

Orlando Pirates remain in the hunt for a Caf Champions League spot, despite Mamelodi Sundowns being just one point away from sealing the title. With four matches to go, Pirates must maintain their winning momentum. A return to continental football would be a fitting way to honour Riveiro’s legacy.