Golden Arrows eye rare scalp as Riveiro bows out in emotional Orlando farewell

Golden Arrows will hope to take advantage of Orlando Pirates’ turbulent run and bid farewell to departing coach Jose Riveiro with an upset when the two sides meet in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.

It’s been a rough few weeks for the Buccaneers, who saw their CAF Champions League dream collapse, stumbled in the league title race, and then watched their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs end a decade-long drought with a victory in the Nedbank Cup final.

And if that wasn’t enough, Pirates confirmed on Monday that Riveiro, one of their most decorated tacticians in the club’s modern era, will leave earlier than expected. 

The Spaniard was set to finish the season, but the club granted his request for an early release. Tuesday’s clash at Orlando Stadium set for a 7.30pm kick off will now be his last in charge.

The timing of the announcement adds a layer of emotion to what would otherwise be a routine league fixture. With Riveiro heading out, Pirates will be desperate to send him off with a win – especially in front of their home fans.

However, Arrows, who are battling for survival near the bottom of the table, might see this as their best chance in a while to stop the rot.

Arrows haven’t beaten Pirates in their last seven meetings. In fact, their last encounter ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat – part of a miserable run that saw the Durban based side slump to 14th on the log with just 26 points.

Their season record of six wins, eight draws and 10 losses doesn’t inspire much confidence either. A goal difference of -10, thanks to just 16 goals scored and 26 conceded, reflects a side struggling at both ends of the pitch.

Head Coach Manqoba Mngqithi has tried to bring order and structure to a faltering team, but a blunt attacking unit continues to let them down. And on the road, the stats aren’t much better – Arrows have lost five of their last eight away fixtures.

Still, Pirates are vulnerable.In their last five games, they’ve won two, lost two, and drawn one. 

Their most recent outing – the Nedbank Cup final – was a huge psychological blow, especially considering how much silverware Riveiro has delivered since his arrival in 2022.

He leaves with five trophies in the bag: three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. But the way it all ends, with heartbreak and defeat to bitter rivals, will linger.

Arrows will aim to exploit that. Whether they have the quality to do so remains to be seen. But if ever there was a time to break their Pirates hoodoo, this is it.

The curtain is falling on Riveiro’s Orlando chapter – and Abafana Bes’thende are hoping to spoil the send-off.