Riveiro left frustrated as Kaizer Chiefs end Pirates' Cup reign

JOSE Riveiro cut a calm but clearly disappointed figure as Kaizer Chiefs shattered Orlando Pirates' Nedbank Cup dominance with a 2-1 win at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

- SMISO MSOMI

The Spaniard, who has won five trophies in three years, suffered his first-ever defeat in this competition since arriving in South Africa in 2022.

More importantly, Pirates were denied the chance to win the Nedbank Cup for a third consecutive time.

“It was an ugly match, there was not so much football from both sides. We were fighting the elements, and the game was affected quite heavily by the penalty,” Riveiro said.

Chiefs were awarded a soft early penalty when Pule Mmodi went down under Deano Van Rooyen’s challenge. Gaston Sirino converted from the spot to give Amakhosi the lead.

Pirates responded through Evidence Makgopa before halftime to draw level and briefly take control of the game.

“We had to come back again. And we managed to do it,” Riveiro said.