Rulani Mokwena's return written in the stars as Riveiro bids farewell to Orlando Pirates
Image: AFP
As José Riveiro prepares to exit the stage, the door swings wide open for a new dawn at Orlando Pirates. Whether by fate or design, Rulani Mokwena could step in seamlessly, offering both fresh energy and the continuity the club craves.
The former Wydad Athletic Club coach was trusted by the Buccaneers following Milutin Sredojević's sudden departure in the 2019/20 season, when he was appointed interim manager. Mokwena, the nephew of Pirates legend Jomo Sono, took charge for 14 matches, managing four wins, five draws, and five defeats.
🎙 Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi:
'We just have one responsibility and one mandate- fight for three points'
🆚 @goldenarrowsfc1
🗓️ 13 May 2025
⌛ 19:30
🏟️ Orlando Stadium
📺 @SuperSportTV
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/12bWUoEm6A — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 12, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
His interim spell did not result in a permanent role, and he returned to his assistant position under newly appointed head coach Josef Zinnbauer. The 38-year-old was later loaned to Chippa United for a brief stint.
Still, his departure from Pirates always felt like an intermission rather than a curtain call. Even he never completely closed the door on a return to the club — or even a collaboration with Zinnbauer — but that reunion never materialised.
Instead, his return to Mamelodi Sundowns, under the expert mentorship of Pitso Mosimane, proved a defining moment in his coaching career. Mokwena became a central figure in the club's most dominant era — a foundation so solid that Sundowns are currently on course for an unprecedented eighth consecutive league title and recently reached another CAF Champions League final.
Mokwena rose through the ranks, guiding Sundowns to seven trophies, including four league titles, the Nedbank Cup, the MTN8, and the African Football League, in roles as both co-coach and head coach. He capped off his domestic success with a record for the fewest defeats (one) in a single league season.
However, even that remarkable record could not guarantee long-term security. He was released following Sundowns' exit from last season's CAF Champions League semi-final against Esperance de Tunis (2–0 on aggregate). By then, his tactical prowess and proven track record had firmly established him as one of the top coaches on the African continent.
It wasn't long before Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club came calling, appointing him at the start of the current campaign. Ironically, their interest was likely sparked by Mokwena's dismantling of Wydad in the final of the inaugural African Football League — a 3–2 aggregate triumph that left a lasting impression.
Wydad went on to finish third in the Botola Pro League this season, behind champions RSB Berkane and runners-up AS FAR. Mokwena, however, was absent from the touchline for the final three matches after requesting special leave, citing the intensity of his debut campaign.
Now, as Riveiro departing the Buccaneers — his final game in charge was on Tuesday night against Golden Arrows — the opportunity appears ripe for Mokwena's return to the Sea Robbers, this time as a more experienced and composed figure.
Few are better suited for the job. With his deep understanding of the club's culture and South African football as a whole, Mokwena is uniquely positioned to build on the strong foundation laid by Riveiro.
The timing could not be better. Pirates are on a high, having won five of their last six finals and reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League this season. That momentum offers a potent platform for Mokwena to mark a triumphant return — to Pirates, and to continental football, where his pedigree is already beyond question.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
38 minutes ago
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs aim for redemption in Toyota Cup against Asante Kotoko
ZITHA Kwinika says the Kaizer Chiefs faithful must expect a highly-improved team from the one they witnessed last season when Amakhosi take on Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at the weekend. Highly disappointing until they won the Nedbank Cup, Chiefs had a rather forgetful league campaign that sees them missing out on participation in the MTN8 for a second season running. But they are intent on exciting their die-hard followers as early as on Saturday at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium when they host the one-time Ghanaian giants to set the scene for what is to come. Smashed 4-0 by Tanzania's Young Africans last year, Amakhosi are eager to ensure the trophy remains home this time around. And defender Kwinika believes their pre-season tour of the Netherlands has helped turn them into an improved lot. 'The supporters must expect a different us in the Toyota Cup,' he said in an interview with the club's media department. 'We are growing as a group from where we left last season. We are adding blocks from that and from the pre-season we went through we really learnt a lot. We are going to be different.' Kwinika is excited that they are getting the opportunity to play opposition from the continent as this will help them get ready for their participation in the CAF Confederation Cup, for which they qualified courtesy of their victory in the Nedbank Cup. 'The Toyota Cup is where we are going to test ourselves against our African brothers as we are preparing ourselves for CAF, so it is still all in building block stage.' Kwinika feels he has personally grown from the Dutch experience. 'It was good for me, but the thing in football is that it is not mainly about me. To do well, I need my teammates. Personally, I got a lot of fitness from it. "As a team it was important how we sync and bringing the other (new) players into the team and it was a great one for the group at large. The Netherlands was good to us, we learnt a lot and we definitely came back home as better players and better people.' The 31-year-old says playing against teams of a much higher level will stand them in good stead for the upcoming domestic campaign. 'To be honest, the level is a bit high (in the Netherlands). Football is football yes, but they understand moments very well; they know the right time to press and where to press," he said. "The passing is precise and how they keep the ball is different from the way we keep it. While here at home we dribble around, they dribble you with a pass. And the seconds they spend on the ball are minimal but effective.' While Chiefs won a single match of their five outings in Holland, Kwinika – like the rest of Chiefs at Naturena – believe the tour was a success. 'We did well because we gradually grew as a team from the first game to the last game and the boys felt good and the confidence is high now.' That confidence, he says, will be evident on Saturday.
The South African
38 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates hit injury crisis before MTN8 Cup clash!
Orlando Pirates appear to have returned home with a few dings, following a successful tour to Spain. 'It is expected that there will be some minor injuries and swelling in various players since football is played by young men,' Abdeslam Ouaddou told Isolezwe. It was a momentous tour for the Buccaneers, who recently welcomed new coach Ouaddou amid eleven signings this offseason, including Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, marking the first look at a relatively new-look roster. Based of Ouaddou's comment, several players are expected to miss Orlando Pirates' MTN8 Cup quarter-final clash against Polokwane City on August 2. While Monnapule Saleng and Mohau Nkota have exited the Soweton next, star players Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng have remained; however, there's growing scrutiny surrounding the latter, who has several clubs vying for his services. Dutch giants PSV are the latest club to show interest – and they aren't holding back. 'R100 million is like a round figure. It's more than that! The amount they were negotiating for was initially R120 million,' an inside source revealed. 'You know it's not exactly what you want that you get, and that's why they are talking about the R100 million, but it's believed to be more than that.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: MTN8 blow, transfer pressure builds
Orlando Pirates fans will be feeling unsettled following Abdeslam Ouaddou's comments regarding the squad's current injury status ahead of their MTN8 quarter-final clash against Polokwane City. 'It is expected that there will be some minor injuries and swelling in various players since football is played by young men,' Abdeslam Ouaddou told Isolezwe. The coach left out the names of the individuals he was referring to, but evidently alluded to the fact that several players are expected to be out of the running for their cup clash in over two week's time. Dutch giants PSV have upped the ante in their pursuit for Relebohile Mofokeng, reportedly tabling an offer in the region of around R100 million. 'R100 million is like a round figure. It's more than that! The amount they were negotiating for was initially R120 million,' an inside source revealed. 'You know it's not exactly what you want that you get, and that's why they are talking about the R100 million, but it's believed to be more than that.' An big-money move seems inevitable for the Orlando Pirates superstar – however, whether it happens this offseason or next is yet to be seen. What we do know is that his father, Sechaba, wants a move to happen before this upcoming season. 'My biggest wish is to see Rele overseas in 2025/2026. I'm praying every day. I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers,' Sechaba Mofokeng said. '[Whether it's in] Spain, England, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Switzerland — Rele can play. I believe that with all my heart. Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy — but not Saudi Arabia,' he added. 'Not yet. He's still young. He needs to compete in UEFA competitions. If he goes to Saudi now, he won't experience that. Yes, he'd be rich — but happiness is more important. You can have all the money in the world, but if you're not happy, it's worthless.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
