Pirates boss Riveiro basks in MTN8 win but not avenging critics for plumber talks

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has no words for those that have called him a plumber after joining the club and instead is going to enjoy winning the MTN8 title against AmaZulu on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

READ | Stunning Saleng free-kick steers Pirates to second MTN8 crown in three years

A 25th-minute delightful and deceiving free-kick by the inform Monnapule Saleng separated the two sides at the sold-out arena, seeing the Buccaneers win their second MTN8 crown in three years, taking the club to win the competition on eleven occasions.

Just under six months since the Spanish boss's arrival, the football-loving South African fraternity had no clue who Riveiro was and began dubbing the 47-year-old a plumber.

But Riveiro has no words for the naysayers but wants to bask in winning his first title with the club.

"I'm not here to respond to that. I'm here to do my job," said Riveiro when asked about the criticism he faced when joining the Buccaneers on 25 June.

I'm a football coach, and I was prepared to do it, and that's why I get the opportunity to be part of this beautiful club.

"I also want to thank my bosses for giving me the opportunity to represent a brand like Pirates. We are doing a good job together.

"I'm just a coach. There are a lot of things around the football game that we need to work on that need to be well-oiled. I have a responsibility, obviously.

"I understand as coaches, we are in the spotlight for different reasons, especially when we lose. But there's nothing I can do about it; I cannot control it. I don't spend time thinking about it, and this is not revenge.

"We did what we were supposed to do together, as football staff, management, all the people around the team, we did it together, and