Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has explained how Jose Riveiro has improved Orlando Pirates.
The Spaniard joined the Sea Robbers during the off-season, filling the post that had been vacant since August 2021 when Josef Zinnbaeur resigned.
Before Riveiro came on board, the DStv Premiership giants assigned Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids to drive the Buccaneers’ vessel as the co-coaches.
The duo reached the last campaign’s CAF Confederation Cup final but unfortunately suffered a defeat in the penalty shoot-out at the hands of RS Berkane.
Thereafter, Davids left the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June, while Ncikazi stayed put to serve as Riveiro’s assistant.
Riveiro, who penned a three-year deal with the Soweto giants, has already lifted his first trophy on South African soil, winning the MTN8 final over AmaZulu earlier this month.
According to the Pirates’ most successful skipper in the PSL era, the arrival of the ‘Spanish Guitar’ has rejuvenated Ezimnyama Ngenkani.
LEKGWATHI HAPPY WITH PIRATES’ PROGRESS UNDER RIVEIRO
“The progress is there, and I think after winning the MTN8, the confidence is high,” Lekgwathi told FARPost.
“After that, they lost to [Mamelodi] Sundowns in the Carling Black Label Cup, but I don’t blame them because they were one man down against a good team.
“But they managed to win the first game against Kaizer Chiefs. For me, I see progress with players, and whoever gets to play makes sure that they perform.
“It’s good to see them competing amongst each other. You know that when someone is not there, you put another player.
“You know, sometimes it’s stressful when a [key] player is injured, and no one can replace them.
“But at Pirates, every player is capable of replacing another player.”
RIVEIRO’S NUMBERS AT PIRATES
Riveiro has overseen 17 fixtures in all competitions at Pirates, recording eight wins, five draws, and four defeats.
The Buccaneers have scored 16 goals and conceded eight under the 47-year-old mentor’s guidance.
Pirates currently occupy the fifth spot on the DStv Premiership standings with 19 points after 13 games.
RELATED STORY: 10 things coach José Riveiro needs to fix at Pirates
