Departing Riveiro reflects on Bucs’ painful defeats

JOSÉ Riveiro will leave Orlando Pirates with the sting of their recent Nedbank Cup final defeat still fresh, after the club confirmed his early release from coaching duties.

- SMISO MSOMI

His premature departure will only add to the hurt for “The Ghost, who have come to adore the Spanish tactician, but are still coming to terms with their defeat to rivals Kaizer Chiefs this past Saturday. Riveiro’s final match in charge of the Sea Robbers will be against Golden Arrows on Tuesday in a Betway Premiership tie.

Pirates’ fans are expected to be an emotional bunch on the night (kick-off 7.30pm), almost as visibly emotional as their coach was after Saturday's defeat. Then, Riveiro offered a brutally honest account of how much every loss affects the club: “Each and every game that we lose - if you ask me or the players ~ it feels the same. Every game is an opportunity to beat someone, and when you don't, and you're competitive, you don't sleep.”