Ncikazi and Co will finish the season on a high, says former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro

Outgoing Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro has tipped Mandla Ncikazi to steer the Sea Robbers into steady waters in the last four games of the season.

Riveiro left Pirates this week, ending his tenure with a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership, cementing their second-place position.

The Spaniard, who opted not to renew his contract at the end of the season, leaves the Pirates jersey better than he found it. With the runners-up spot secured, the club will participate in the CAF Champions League next season — marking their third successive qualification for the competition under Riveiro.

Although the hard work for the remainder of the season has largely been done, The Ghost will still want to see the team win their remaining league matches. The onus now falls on interim coach Ncikazi and the players to build on the foundations laid by the Spaniard.

Ncikazi is no stranger to holding the fort at Pirates, having been with the club for some time and served in various roles, including as co-coach alongside Fadlu Davids. The 56-year-old and his assistant Rayaan Jacobs will take charge of their first match against TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), and Riveiro has backed them to do well.

“They know what to do — we’re talking about people with huge experience in South African football,” Riveiro said.

“We were here together for three years, and we had a clear guideline for how to do things and implement our methodology. There’ll probably be no major changes over the next four games. They know each other very well, and the players know them very well too.

“They know the players better than anyone else. There’s going to be a line of continuity until the end of the season.”

Riveiro is strongly linked with a move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, having reportedly flown out of the country on Wednesday to finalise the deal. The 49-year-old is expected to get to work quickly at Al Ahly, with preparations for the Club World Cup in the US next month already underway.

However, Riveiro has assured his former technical team members, who will now steer the Sea Robbers’ ship, that he will be just a phone call away should they need any support.

“They know that I’ll be there for them, whatever they need. Together we’ll manage to complete the season,” Riveiro explained. “So, I have no doubt that it’s still going to be a very good month for the team in the remaining league games.”

Riveiro departs Pirates as one of the most decorated coaches in the club’s history, having won five trophies — three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. His failure to secure a league title remains his most notable shortcoming, with Mamelodi Sundowns having now won eight consecutive championships, including this season’s.

Nonetheless, Riveiro leaves the league a more experienced coach and reflected on what he has learned about South African football.

“Resilience — that’s what I learned,” Riveiro said.

“It’s a hell of a league. Trust me, guys, it’s not an easy one. It’s unique — South African football is unique.”