You have to give it to Jose Riveiro. He has run a good and unforgettable race at Orlando Pirates during his spell with the club.
Riveiro is set to leave the club at the end of the season, ending his three-year stint as the coach of the Sea Robbers’ ship.
It will have been an incredible milestone that’ll not only have seen him endear himself to the Ghost, but engrave his name in the history books of the club as well.
Riveiro made the team cup specialists in recent years, winning three successive MTN8 crowns and back-to-back Nedbank Cup trophies.
Those achievements, sure, do not make up for the fact that he still came short in the title race, but they’ve made the Ghosts smile again after a disastrous spell.
THE LAST DANCE
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Riveiro could still win the Betway Premiership title this season, and CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup, adding to the already won MTN8 crown.
That would be a perfect send-off for a coach who's turned his detractors into admirers after being ridiculed to a plumber when he arrived.
A quadruple would be a perfect send-off for Riveiro who has made the team and supporters believe that they are still one of the biggest clubs in the land.
But perhaps for all his achievements and success he brought to the club’s trophy cabinet it’s what he’s done with the players that will always stand out.
The Spaniard brought to us ‘cocomelon football’ because if it wasn’t for him, perhaps, there would be no Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi..
The three youngsters are setting the scene alight in the top-flight as they’ve defied their age to show vast maturity by continuing to guide Pirates to the promised land.
Mofokeng and Nkota have been behind Pirates' strides in domestic football this season as they continue their hunt for the two trophies - the league and Nedbank Cup crowns.
They, again, combined in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg clash away to MC Alger on Tuesday as Nkota scored the lone goal via Mofokeng’s assist.
The duo’s rise is testament to what Riveiro has been about during his stint at Pirates - turning unknowns into superstars!
Mofokeng is not only their best player, but a national treasurer. Even fans and players from the oppositions like him, thanks to his exploits for Pirates and Bafana Bafana.
And it’s not only him that was given a lifeline by Riveiro. Sipho Chaine and Makhehleni Mkhaula are some of the lot whose careers have been redefined.
Chaine probably never thought that’d eventually become a renowned No 1. Let alone for a club such as Pirates.
His transition to the top wasn’t easy. He had to always wait n the wings at Bloemfontein Celtic, was unwanted at Royal AM and didn’t make his debut at Chippa United.
When he arrived at Pirates, he was at the bottom in the pecking order - below Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, two of the most experienced goalkeepers.
But as fate would have it, Chaine got his breakthrough - he became the team’s No 1 and Bafana’s No 2. A feat that probably wouldn’t have been possible without Riveiro.
Mkhaula as well - he has Riveiro to thank. The 35-year-old arrived at the club when he was on the wrong side of 30 and was known as a ‘dirty player’.
But such has been the change of fortunes during his spell at Pirates, Makhaula is living the dream – having supported the club all his life.
Not only is he one of the players in Riveiro’s starting lineups, but he plays a fundamental role in shaping the career of the youngsters in the Pirates team.
Riviero has always said that he believes in three-year projects. Hence, his decision to leave shouldn’t come as a surprise.
But no one should have prepared for his departure. Yes, his departure was imminent, but he’s given so much to South African football that he felt like one of our own.
The players are certainly hurting to see him, though they know it’s part and parcel of football, but they must make his hurray worth it and challenge for everything that’s up for grabs!