More than the trophies, José Riveiro’s Orlando Pirates legacy will be the club’s youngsters

Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates with Kipper Zunon of MC Alger during their CAF Champions League quarter final, leg 2 match at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

16 Apr 2025

As José Riveiro’s highly successful spell at Orlando Pirates nears culmination, the young players he has handed a chance to are the highlight of his tenure.

As Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro embarks on a lap of honour after announcing that he will leave the club at the end of the season, his impact on South African soccer is there for all to see.

Just recently, Riveiro steered Pirates to a sixth domestic final in three years when they booked their spot in this season’s Nedbank Cup decider, scheduled for 10 May in Durban. When the Sea Robbers meet their old foes Kaizer Chiefs in the Cup final, Riveiro has an opportunity to make it six finals and six trophies.

Jose Riveiro Relebohile Mofokeng José Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates and Relebohile Mofokeng. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Currently, the Spanish coach’s CV boasts three MTN8 titles and two Cup successes. This is in addition to runner-up finishes in the Premiership – evidence that his time with the Soweto giants has been extremely fruitful, even with the Buccaneers not quite able to derail Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance when it comes to the league title.

Human impact

More than trophies, though, Riveiro has built an exciting and balanced Pirates team since landing on South African shores as an unknown entity in 2022.

The Spanish tactician has pieced together a technically adaptable team, while also playing the type of entertaining soccer that sends South Africans into a frenzy. With European coaches often accused of coming into the country and stifling the natural creativity of local players, Riveiro has granted his team the licence to thrill.

This has resulted in a resurrection of stadium attendance by the Sea Robbers’ faithful, with Orlando Stadium regaining its reputation as a fortress. Moreover, the Bucs team boasts both experience and youthful enthusiasm. Again, Riveiro and his technical team have used these ingredients to great effect.

The youngsters, though, are Riveiro’s crown jewel. His trust in youth throughout his tenure in Orlando has seen several young players promoted from the team’s youth ranks, with some seizing the opportunity and firmly establishing themselves in the first team.

Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League quarterfinal, leg 2 match against MC Alger at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)

Under Riveiro, players such as Relebohile Mofokeng (20), Mohau Nkota (20), and, most recently, burly defender Mbekezile Mbokazi (19) have broken into the first team. The youngsters have repaid the technical team’s belief in them with some impressive performances.

Youthful footprint

Mofokeng, in particular, is a great success story. The diminutive winger has grown tremendously since Riveiro handed him his first-team debut back in 2023. He is a player who excites almost all South African soccer lovers, regardless of club affiliation.

A large chunk of his growth, to the point where he has also broken into the senior national team, is a direct result of Riveiro telling the fleet-footed forward that he is free to torment opposition defenders however he wishes.

Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates and Akram Bouras of MC Alger during the CAF Champions League quarterfinal, leg 2 match at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)

Mofokeng – who was moulded by the School of Excellence before Pirates scouted him – has grown to be a player who is seen as a future torch-bearer for South African soccer. It is Riveiro who instilled this self-confidence and belief in the youngster.

The Spaniard has done similar work on winger Nkota, who made his Pirates debut in October 2024 and has since become a mainstay in the first team. The latest youth player to be thrown into the deep end by Riveiro is centre back Mbokazi.

Mbokazi Mbekezeli of Orlando Pirates and Zakaria Naidji of MC Alger during the CAF Champions League quarterfinal, leg 2 match at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025. (Photo: Daniel Hlongwane / Gallo Images)

The Hluhluwe native earned his spot in the senior side after injuries to Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane in the defence department. With the form that Mbokazi has been in, it will be tough for his elders to unseat him from the heart of the Sea Robbers’ defence on their return.

It’s not just me

In keeping with the humility he has displayed since he arrived in South Africa three years ago, Riveiro has constantly downplayed his role in handing young players an opportunity at Pirates.

“It can be easy for me to take credit. But it doesn’t belong only to me. Credit should go to the whole club. The club has ambitions, has a plan. It’s not only Riveiro supporting those players,” the coach said recently.

“We are not gambling when we choose the players, we are not experimenting. When the boys are ready and when the boys are good, we try to make them confident. That’s probably the most important thing in our role, to make sure that when they go on to the field, they can be themselves. Because they are ready,” the Spanish coach said.

Riveiro was a youth coach at Spanish side Celta Vigo before he earned his first senior coaching job. As such, he is well versed when it comes to working with youngsters. This experience has shone through, with the tactician also highlighting how important it is for a club to be represented by young players.

Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates tackles Kipper Zunon of MC Alger during their CAF Champions League quarterfinal, leg 2 match at Orlando Stadium on 9 April 2025. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)

“It’s important for our development and our academy to see [young] players here in Orlando. Like I said many times, the players from your development give you something else that nobody can give you. It’s about identity, it’s about heart, it’s things you cannot buy on the market,” the 47-year-old stated.

“So, it’s important to always keep an eye on our own talent… Nothing comes for free in professional football, so we need to appreciate this moment, having players like Nkota or Relebohile on the field,” Riveiro said. “It’s a message for every youngster who is around.”

Lasting legacy

With the Spanish coach set to depart at the end of this season, Pirates are still in the running for three trophies. The Buccaneers are in the final of the Cup. The Soweto side is also in the semifinals of the Champions League, where they will face Egypt’s Pyramids.

In addition, they have an outside chance of pipping perennial Premiership champions Sundowns to the league title.

Even if Pirates manage to secure this silverware, when Riveiro leaves, he will be remembered affectionately for the number of quality young players he has brought to the forefront of South African soccer.

These are players who can be a key part of the ongoing revolution to make South Africa the best on the continent again.

“The future belongs to them right now. It’s in their hands to keep their feet on the ground and take care of themselves. To stay humble in order to continue learning, because they still have a lot to learn in this profession,” Riveiro said of youngsters.

Sometimes coaches come to South Africa just to make up the numbers while they seek greener pastures. However, Riveiro will leave the country’s soccer in a better space compared with what he found. DM

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South Africa

Human impact

Youthful footprint

It’s not just me

Lasting legacy