Orlando Pirates began life without head coach Jose Riveiro with a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Saturday at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The Sea Robbers collected one point to solidify their place in the second position, as Mamelodi Sundowns have already clinched the league title for the eighth time in a row.
The Spanish tactician, Riveiro, sat on the bench for the last time when Pirates defeated Golden Arrows 3-0 in a midweek league match at home. Riveiro requested to step down from his coaching role before the expiry of his contract in June 2025 to join a new club.
Riveiro is reportedly on his way to take over the hot seat at the Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The 49-year-old will replace Marcel Koller, who was fired after crashing out of the CAF Champions League semi-final last month.
Meanwhile, Pirates have appointed Mandla Ncikazi as the interim coach to lead the Soweto giants for the remainder of the season.
MANDLA NCIKAZI LEADING PIRATES ON AN INTERIM BASIS AFTER RIVEIRO’S EXIT
Ncikazi served as assistant coach during Riveiro’s three-season stay with Pirates. The 49-year-old mentor joined the Sea in July 2022 and went on to win two Nedbank Cup titles and three successive MTN8 trophies.
In the match against Galaxy, Pirates had a slow start after struggling to create goal-scoring opportunities to trouble the Rockets.
The match went into the half-time break with the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0, with both sides having an equal chance of claiming a victory in the second-half.
At the start of the second stanza, Pirates made a surprise change in the goalkeeping position, bringing on Melusi Buthelezi in place of first-choice goalie Sipho Chaine.
Pirates found the back of the net in the 64th minute after Mohau Nkota played a great pass to Bandile Shandu, who scored from close range. In the 90th minute, Mpho Mvelase scored for Galaxy to force a 1-1 draw against the Soweto giants.
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