Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro is on the brink of making Soweto Derby history as he prepares to lead the Buccaneers into one last battle against Kaizer Chiefs this weekend.
The Spanish tactician, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, has already secured five consecutive derby victories. If Pirates lift the Nedbank Cup on Saturday afternoon, Riveiro will surpass former Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter’s derby record of five wins, placing him in a league of his own.
Baxter managed Amakhosi twice, but it was during his 2012–2015 stint that he famously delivered two domestic doubles. Now, Riveiro stands at the edge of carving his own legacy — not just for trophies, but for his complete dominance in South Africa’s biggest rivalry.
Riveiro’s final Soweto showdown
Since taking the reins in 2023, Riveiro has guided Pirates to five titles, and now a sixth looms — but Kaizer Chiefs, hungry to end a decade-long trophy drought, will be desperate to spoil his farewell.
After his latest derby triumph, Riveiro acknowledged how far he’s come since his first outing at FNB Stadium.
“I remember my debut derby — the first thing I was told was that I was the first Spanish coach to lose at FNB,” he recalled. “Now here we are, five wins later. It’s not about personal records, though. The focus is on the team and finishing strong.”
As Pirates gear up for their third win over Chiefs this season, and possibly a third straight Nedbank Cup title, Riveiro’s farewell could be sealed in style.
