100 Not Out: JR’s Century of Games with Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro celebrated his 100th game as head coach of Orlando Pirates in style, guiding the team to a hard fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay on Tuesday night. 

This win extended the Mighty Buccaneers’ flawless start in the Betway Premiership, to an impressive seven consecutive victories, marking a historic evening for both club and coach. 

All Eyes on Me 

An old saying: don’t judge a book by its cover. Yet, in football, the reverse often rings true. Football has a propensity to judge people too quickly. A person like Jose was judged before even setting foot on the pitch. 

On June 25, 2022, when Orlando Pirates announced Jose Riveiro as their new coach, opinions poured in from pundits and fans alike, and many were prematurely critical. 

Riveiro found himself scrutinised and even undermined by fellow contemporaries who even took the time to throw cryptic snide remarks at the mention of his appointment.

However, rather than being weighed down by these detractors, Jose chose to focus on the task at hand. Occupying his time and efforts to building a body of work worth noting.

His journey has transformed the scepticism into admiration, proving that patience and hard work conquers all.

Record Breaker

With his success on Tuesday night, Riveiro has firmly etched his name in Orlando Pirates’ history books. 

At 100 games, he joins an elite rank, becoming only the second coach in the PSL era, after Ruud Krol (119 games), to reach this milestone with the club. 

jose riveiro record breaker wins

Not only did Pirates secure three points, but they also set a new club record, surpassing the previous high of six consecutive league wins – a record that had stood since the 2002/03 season. The seven consecutive league victories not only add another feather to his cap but sets a new standard for the club.

The 47-year-old has won five trophies in his two and a half years at the club, which makes him the most decorated Pirates coach in the PSL era (since 1996), but also equalling the record of the most titles by a coach with the club since Tony Sanderson (1973/74).

jose riveiro record breaker wins 100 games 1

Even on a personal level, Jose has broken new ground. 

At his former club, Inter Turku, Jose steered his side to 56 wins from 102 matches – giving him a win percentage of 55%. With Pirates – Jose now sits on 61 wins which gives him 61% win rate.

Goals For:

Pirates – 178 goals
Inter Turku – 164 goals  

Goals Against:

Pirates – 82 goals
Inter Turku – 109 goals

Riveiro’s milestone isn’t just a celebration of his longevity but a testament to his resilience, vision, and determination to defy the odds. 

Through his leadership, he has shaped Orlando Pirates into a force to be reckoned with, inspiring fans and making his mark on South African football.

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