Jose Riveiro close to unique achievement with Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is on the brink of etching his name in the club's history and the Nedbank Cup if he secures a victory in the derby against Kaizer Chiefs in the final, scheduled for May 10.

The Spanish tactician, who is steering the team towards three titles this season — the CAF Champions Cup, the Betway Premiership, and the Nedbank Cup, will conclude his tenure with the club this summer. However, Riveiro has already become the longest-serving coach in Pirates' history during the PSL era and is regarded as one of the club's most successful managers.

Now, the 47-year-old has a chance to become the first coach in the PSL era to win the Nedbank Cup three consecutive times. He previously led the Pirates to victories in the 2023 and 2024 finals, defeating Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns.

If Orlando Pirates triumph over the Chiefs this year, Riveiro will match the club's own achievement of winning the national cup three times in a row from 1973 to 1975, when the tournament was still known as the Bob Save Superbowl.

Kaizer Chiefs also came close to a similar feat twice — in 1971 and 1972, and then again in 1981 and 1982. However, the third triumph in the series eluded them. SuperSport United was also close, winning the finals in 2016 and 2017, but falling short in the 2018 semifinals.