A full moon brought colour and light over Orlando Stadium as Orlando Pirates bade an emotional farewell to coach Jose Riveiro on Tuesday night. Pirates beat Golden Arrows 3–0 in this Betway Premiership clash, which marked Riveiro’s final match as coach of the Buccaneers.
It was the perfect result on paper, cementing their No 2 spot on the log, but not in atmosphere, as there were hardly any signs that this was a game to celebrate a legend. The Ghost didn’t come out in numbers as expected — some must still have been reeling from the pain of losing the Nedbank Cup to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs last week.
☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 3 – 0 @goldenarrowsfc1
🥅 Mabasa 16′, Shandu 61′, Dlamini 66′
⚫⚪🔴⭐ #MatchDay#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/J8pSNRO4gV
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 13, 2025
The deafening silence of the fans was, sadly, coupled with a sound system that uncharacteristically played pre-match music at a low volume. The club did its best to honour Riveiro with a framed jersey, which was also worn by the players during the warm-up.
There were also touching gestures from some of The Ghost, who printed banners to bid farewell to the coach who led them to five trophies during his three-year stint at the club.
One banner, which must have made Riveiro emotional, read: “Muchas Gracias Padre, Jose Riveiro, Por Siempre Una Leyenda” (Thank you, Father, Jose Riveiro, Forever a Legend).
Yes, at first, what was supposed to be a farewell party had shades of a funeral — the sombre crowd and empty seats were not befitting of the occasion. But as soon as the first whistle from referee Christopher Kistoor went off, the players delivered a professional performance and won comfortably.
Adios Padre. Especialistas en la Copa🏆👋⁰⁰#ShowmaxPL #BetwayPrem #OrlandoPirates #Riveiro pic.twitter.com/BXv5BZFzA0
— ShowmaxSport (@ShowmaxSport) May 13, 2025
They proved to be their own men on the pitch, as Riveiro donned a master’s cap on the touchline, giving them ample freedom to express themselves and correct their own mistakes. So much so that when young Simphiwe Selepe, making his first start, received a yellow card in the opening 10 minutes for a reckless tackle, there was hardly any panic.
The Spaniard allowed his team to regroup and relied on his senior players — such as Makhehleni Makhaula — to steady the nerves of the youngsters.
Makhaula and company heeded the call.
There was greater fluidity in Pirates’ build-up, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota getting a feel for the ball up front. And to show that they are no longer boys but have matured under Riveiro’s guidance, Mofokeng and Nkota combined for a breathtaking team goal.
Nkota linked up with Mofokeng, who sat down his marker with some dazzling footwork before teeing up Tshegofatso Mabasa, who controlled well and slotted past Ismail Watenga from close range. The handful of Pirates fans who had braved the chilly weather went into a frenzy, while Mabasa and several teammates raced halfway across the pitch to celebrate with Riveiro.
Despite the euphoria on the touchline, the Spaniard still reserved a moment to congratulate Mofokeng for the beautiful build-up.
It’s traits like maturity and composure that Riveiro has instilled in his youngsters, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi also stepping in to cover for big brother Makhaula at times. Makhaula is usually the one who does the dirty work so that his young teammates can shine, but he was having a torrid evening.
Not only did he uncharacteristically lose possession several times, but his back-passes drew boos from the Ghost in the stands—something he rarely experiences.
Mbokazi had a fine first half—so much so that he nearly provided his first assist in Riveiro’s final match, but it wasn’t to be, as Mabasa lost his footing from close range.
Riveiro’s final half-time team talk fuelled his troops, who returned for the second half with renewed vigour that allowed the Spaniard to simply marvel and applaud.
Nkota and Deon Hotto directed Pirates’ inroads into the final third, while Arrows, through Watenga’s saves, did their best to hold on. But such is the potency of this Pirates team that they always find a way to unlock the defence. Mofokeng played through Hotto, who calmly lobbed the ball over Watenga for their second of the night.
Riveiro’s celebrations were subdued as he instead called his assistant coaches, Mandla Ncikazi and Reyaan Jacobs, into a huddle to discuss the next substitutions. So in control were Riveiro’s charges that, by the time the team talk ended, Kabelo Dlamini had already buried a close-range set-piece to wrap up the match.
The discerning Ghost will hope that Ncikazi and Jacobs have learnt a great deal from both that huddle and Riveiro’s broader mentorship, as they will be steering the Sea Robbers’ ship until the end of the season.
SCORERS
ORLANDO PIRATES (1) 3
Mabasa 13’, Hotto 60’, Dlamini 66’
GOLDEN ARROWS 0
