A Spaniard in the works to steer the Sea Robbers

Well... it’s a Spaniard with a Gstring CV to steer Bucs’ ship When Orlando Pirates turned 75 years old in 2012 — a year in which the ANC celebrated its centenary — they lined up a series of festivities.

One of the events to mark the celebration was a gala dinner at the Sandton Convention Centre. Notables of SA soccer, captains of industry and celebrities graced the pomp and ceremony to toast the institution of 1937 in a feast fit for a colossal outfit.

A golf day was organised. Among those who teed off and walked the fairways was the Chiefs el supremo Kaizer Motaung, sporting a limited edition anniversary jersey (and matching straw hat) that bore “a special round logo dating back to the ‘50s and ‘60s developed to honour the rich history of the club and the bright and exciting future”.

This is not just a club, Orlando Pirates is a way of life, poet and author Don Mattera aptly enthused about the outfit that gave birth to Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos, establishments owned by Bucs’s erstwhile heroes Motaung and Jomo Sono, respectively.

“Listen and listen deep and well, sons and daughters of our beloved country. You, the lovers, admirers and fans of the world’s most beautiful game, listen, and you will hear a name in the wind, echoing across the townships, across the cold concrete eyes. Yes, the voice of ancients, untamed, calling out the only name among all other names.

Behold, Orlando Pirates, the almighty Buccaneers; the very epitome and the essence of the resilience of the human spirit. Undaunted, unconquerable, unafraid, replenishing, rebuilding,” is what Mattera expressed on stage to a standing ovation.

Those days the Sea Robbers exuded an aura of invincibility. The mere mention of their name sent shivers down the spines of opponents.

The 2010-11 campaign was a swashbuckling affair. It was a season during which the Sea Robbers swept the stakes by winning three major trophies — the MTN8, the Premier League and the Nedbank Cup.

Goodness and mercy followed The Ghost when their cup runneth over with another trio of trophies, this time in the form of a defence of the MTN8 and the league title and Telkom Cup crown.

Times have changed terribly since then. The 2020 MTN8 stands as a solitary piece of sterling that ended a six-year drought.

These days the Sea Robbers are subjugated, cowardly, fearful, depleted and in a perpetual cycle of rebuilding.

The children, Chiefs and Cosmos, are in no better condition. They have not escaped the cancer of non-achievement. The former will start the upcoming DStv Premiership campaign as the eighth year of not savouring the sweet taste of silverware success. The latter is on life support, hoping for a positive court ruling to spare their Glad Africa status.

The strange thing about Pirates is that in all the madness of constant coaching change and the high rotation of players, they are able to reach cup finals. Those include a Caf Champions League, two Caf Confederation Cups and several domestic cups, only to fall at the last hurdle.

Mandla Ncikazi is unwanted. Some have been screaming that Benni McCarthy is the man. Others have been shouting for Gavin Hunt. Passionate pleas for Pitso Mosimane to save their souls have been made on social media.

“When you are from Europe, when you come here please show us what you have won. Let’s see your pictures winning in your own country. If you don’t have a picture of you lifting a trophy in your country, stay in your country. Don’t try and chance it with us here,” said Mosimane recently, speaking against the hiring of Europeans who add no value.

His clarion call didn’t dissuade the Bucs hierarchy who opened a lucky packet and voila! Jose Riveiro was revealed as the new coach on a three-year contract yesterday. The Spaniard’s G-string CV reveals that he has mostly worked as an assistant and as head coach only for two years. Voices on the terraces demand a man who can breathe life back into the skull and bones. They sure as hell hope that Riveiro is not a repeat of Kjell Jonevret. Time will tell whether Riveiro is the correct candidate to steer the Bucs ship back to success.