Ex Pirates star urges Buccaneers to rally behind Riveiro | African News

Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo insists although it would have been ideal for the Buccaneers to employ a local coach, Spaniard mentor Jose Riveiro needs to be given a chance.

Riveiro was tasked with taking the Buccaneers’ ship back to the glory days on a three-year contract.

There were rumours linking local coaches such as Benni McCarthy, Gavin Hunt, Dan Malesela or for Mandla Ncikazi to continue as head coach.

But the Pirates management had other ideas giving the task to the 46-year-old who will be assisted by Sergio Almenara and Ncikazi.

“For me, I would say give the local coach a chance, but at the same time there was not enough faith in the local coaches (Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids) for the performances that they gave towards the end of the season,” said Mhlongo.

“So, I am not sure honestly, for me let’s wait and see in the MTN 8 how he (Jose Riveiro) performs and we will have an idea as to what is happening but for me, I would have loved to see a local coach like Mandla Ncikazi take over and be given the opportunity and the platform to showcase because he has done well at Golden Arrows, even at Orlando Pirates he did fairly well.

“I mean he took the team to the CAF Confederations Cup final; I would have loved to see him take the reins. So, my thinking is that I would have loved to see a local coach but however I would say let’s support the team’s hierarchy decision, if they say this is the direction they want to take then all we can do is to give them the support,” added Mhlongo.

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