Local football legend Jomo Sono is one of the hard men to please when it comes to the beautiful game, but Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has somehow managed to get the nod from the Black Prince.
The Pirates boss Riveiro, in the last year of his three-year contract, has received special praise from club legend, Sono, for an excellent job.
This after the Spanish-born mentor arrived in South Africa two years ago as a little-known coach but went on to turn Pirates from chumps to champs.
Under his supervision, the Buccaneers have been impressive, winning four trophies in just two seasons and finishing as runners-up in the league title race twice.
Sono is one of the best footballers to come out of South Africa and made his name when playing for the Soweto giants where he earned legendary status.
Out of respect for him, the club management retired his number 10 jersey in domestic competitions.
Though he went on to form his club, Jomo Cosmos, Sono’s opinions about Pirates are usually well-regarded.
“He (Riveiro) knows what he is doing. I think he is a very good coach. He is not a coach who is after publicity, he just wants to do his job,” Sono told the media during Cosmos’ announcement of Lucas Batteries as a new sponsor.
“You have coaches, I know one here in the NFD, who are just publicity coaches and that’s it.
“Some are not publicity coaches, they are just doing their jobs.”
Sono said Riveiro has not just delivered trophies but has helped a lot of players become better footballers.
“He has done a good job with the players. I hope he stays but knowing football, you can wake up tomorrow and he is gone. That’s football,” Sono said.
“I’m the only one who wakes up and still be here,” he said jokingly.
Having clinched back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies, Riveiro is determined to add the league title to his cabinet and do better in the CAF Champions League.
“With the kind of form they have, they will go far but if they slump on that form they will be out. It all depends on the form,” Sono said.
When most local sides kick off their Betway Premiership this weekend, the Sea Robbers will be in Botswana for the Champions League meeting against Jwaneng Galaxy.
The two sides meet in the first leg of the Second Preliminary round at Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday at 16:00, South African time.
