Jose Riveiro downplays reaching 120 games with Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro, who is already Orlando Pirates' most-capped coach in the Premier Soccer League era, has downplayed amassing 120 games in charge of the Buccaneers, saying he “can't give the real value and the meaning” of the milestone.

Tuesday night's goalless Betway Premiership draw against 10-man Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium was Riveiro's 120th game as a Pirates coach.

Stellies defender Brian Onyango was red-carded in the 25th minute of the stalemate, where the result meant the second-placed Buccaneers (40 points from 18 matches) fell further behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (58 from 22), who beat AmaZulu 2-1 in Atteridgeville. Pirates have four games in hand.

Since his arrival in July 2022, the Spaniard has won five trophies — three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. 

However, failing to win the league title in the past two seasons — where Pirates ended second but by huge 16 and 23-point margins — appears to be the reason Riveiro sounded unsatisfied after reaching his 120th game at the Soweto giants.

What makes matters worse is Pirates now appear also unlikely to win the league this season. The Buccaneers have been showing signs of fatigue, raising doubts they can reel in the huge gap on Sundowns, who are on course to clinch their eighth title in a row.

“Probably, now, I cannot give the real value and the meaning of those 120 games, but let’s go for more,” Riveiro said.

“I am not going to say I am proud of myself because I am not doing this alone. For coaches in our positions to stay at a club for 120 games — I am about to finish my third season here at Pirates — it looks normal, but it’s not for us.

“It’s been a long run — what can I say? It’s just a number, but when you look at that number you know how much dedication is behind it, how much time and [how many] sacrifices.”

Riveiro feels indebted to the club's hierarchy for sticking with him for this long.

“I have to say thank you to the management of the club for being patient with me, with the coaching staff, with all of us to, year after year, keep growing as a team and as a group and pushing this project forward.”

It's not yet clear whether Riveiro, who has never spent more than three years at one club, will renew his contract when it expires at the end of this season.

Pirates turn their attention to one of the biggest clashes of the season in the league title race when they meet Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Sunday.

A victory for Downs would be a major blow to Bucs' title ambitions, while Pirates will be out to preserve their realistic championship chances.

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