Pirates give Riveiro perfect send off with statement win over Arrows
The game against Arrows was the Spaniard’s last game in charge of the Buccaneers.
Orlando Pirates gave outgoing coach Jose Riveiro a perfect send off when they handed Golden Arrows a 3-0 drubbing in a Betway Premiership match in Soweto on Tuesday night.
The game was the Spaniard’s last game in charge of the Buccaneers and his players and the fans who came out in numbers to the Orlando Stadium made sure that it was a memorable one for him.
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Pirates’ fans hoisted banners and placards with farewell messages at the stadium. One of the banners was written in Spanish and it read “Muchas Gracias Padre Jose Riveiro Por Siempre Leyenda” loosely translated “Many Thanks Father Jose Riveiro Forever a Legend”.
It was indeed a fitting tribute for the Spanish coach who not only won five cup titles with Pirates in three seasons, but also turned them into not only one of the most feared teams in the domestic league, but on the continent as well where they only lost one match in the CAF Champions League this season.
As expected, it was the home side that dominated position, but when Nhlanhla Zwane’s header went narrowly over the crossbar in the 10th minute, it was clear that Abafana Bes’thende didn’t come to Orlando to make up numbers.
It was the Buccaneers, however, who took the lead in the 16th minute through Tshegofatso Mabasa who finished off a clever layoff from Relebohile Mofokeng.
Nduduzo Sibiya was unlucky not to grab the equaliser for Arrows in the 23rd minute, but his shot hit the upright with Sipho Chaine well-beaten.
The Buccaneers took their one goal lead to the half-time break.
Pirates started the second half much like the first by taking the game to Arrows and they came close to finding the second goal through Nkota in the 50th minute, but Watenga pulled off another great save to deny him.
It wasn’t long though before Pirates grabbed their second goal through Bandile Shandu who tapped in a cross from Hotto in the 61st minute.
Kabelo Dlamini then put the final nail into the Arrows coffin with a perfectly taken free kick five minutes later.
The win saw Pirates close the gap on log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to 12 points, but the Brazilians will win the title if they avoid defeat against Chippa United on Wednesday night.
Crédito: Link de origem