Ex Orlando Pirates Star Says Jose Riveiro Cannot Lead Club to PSL Title

• Soweto giants Orlando Pirates suffered their first defeat in 2024 last week
• The Buccaneers were beaten by Sekhukhune United after a good run of form
• Bruce Ramokgadi has slammed Jose Riveiro for changing the team often

Orlando Pirates suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United this past weekend.

The Buccaneers dropped to fourth in the PSL table and sit on 33 points after 21 matches.

Former Pirates striker Bruce Ramokgadi has strongly criticised head coach Jose Riveiro, saying he will never lead the team to glory if he keeps changing his team repeatedly.

The Sea Robbers hired Riveiro in June 2022 with the hope that he would end their long wait for a league title.

The Spaniard led them to a second-place finish in the 2022/23 season. The club finished with 54 points, 16 behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who lifted their sixth straight PSL title.

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Pirates are looking for their first league title since 2011/12. Riveiro's side have not shown any signs that they are close to ending Sundowns' dominance.

Buccaneers have had an up-and-down 2023/24 season. They started the year well, but Sekhukhune handed them their first defeat of the year.

The highlight of their season was coming from behind, twice, to beat Kaizer Chiefs in the 180th Soweto Derby. It was their first double over their bitter rivals since the 2008/09 season.

Ramokgadi unimpressed with Riveiro

Speaking to KickOff, the former Pirates star is not happy with how Riveiro runs his team.

"I think Pirates' biggest problem is consistency. This coach changes the team every weekend," Ramokgadi said. "Every weekend there's a new player in the team, so there's no consistency. It's even difficult to predict a team that is not consistent. Changing the team every weekend makes him the weakest link."

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Ramokgadi believes the team gains momentum with a consistent team, something Riveiro is not doing.

"If you play week in and week out as a player, you gain even more momentum. Match fitness and lack of confidence are never an issue. So I don't see Paris winning the league under such (a coach). It's impossible to achieve with a coach who changes his team too often."

Pirates have a way to reach a level where they can challenge for the title.

Riveiro questions players' attitude

Sports Brief earlier reported on Riveiro questioning his players' attitude after their defeat to Sekhukhune United last weekend.

Riveiro said his players didn't play well throughout the match, and Sekhukhune's goals dented their confidence.