The Farewell Victory: Pirates Bid Farewell to Coach Riveiro with a 3-0 Win Against Arrows
Orlando Pirates bid farewell to their coach Jose Riveiro in style as they secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows in a Betway Premiership match at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday night.
Riveiro’s last game in charge of the Buccaneers was filled with emotions as both the players and the fans came together to make it a memorable evening. The supporters displayed banners and placards with heartfelt messages, including one in Spanish that read “Muchas Gracias Padre Jose Riveiro Por Siempre Leyenda” (Many Thanks Father Jose Riveiro Forever a Legend).
During his tenure, Riveiro led Pirates to five cup titles in three seasons, establishing them as a dominant force in the domestic league and even on the continental stage where they excelled in the CAF Champions League this season.
The match saw Pirates take the lead in the 16th minute through Tshegofatso Mabasa, who capitalized on a well-executed pass from Relebohile Mofokeng. Despite Arrows’ efforts to equalize, including Nduduzo Sibiya’s near miss hitting the upright, Pirates maintained their one-goal advantage going into halftime.
In the second half, Pirates continued to press forward and extended their lead with goals from Bandile Shandu in the 61st minute and Kabelo Dlamini’s expertly taken free kick shortly after. The victory not only showcased Pirates’ dominance but also highlighted the impact Riveiro had on the team during his tenure.
With the win, Pirates closed the gap on log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to 12 points. However, Sundowns have the opportunity to clinch the title if they avoid defeat against Chippa United on Wednesday night.
