Jose Riveiro unveiled as Al Ahly head coach following Orlando Pirates departure
- Peter Kanjere
- May 29
- 2 min read
As widely speculated, Al Ahly have unveiled former Orlando Pirates mentor Jose Riveiro as the Egyptian Premier League club’s new coach.
The African Club of the 20th Century announced via their Facebook page the hiring of the Spaniard on Thursday, saying: “Al-Ahly announce the contract with Jose Riveiro for two years.”
Mahmoud El Khatib, the President of the record CAF Champions League winners, took Riveiro and his backroom staff around the team’s facilities in Cairo. The celebrated PSL trainer seems to have auditioned for what is the hottest job in African football when he led Pirates to an away 2-1 win over the Cairo-based outfit in the 2025 Champions’ League group stages. Their first meeting had ended goalless in South Africa.
The Spaniard has succeeded Marcel Koller who left soon after exiting the Champions League semifinal stage following a 1-1 home second leg draw with Mamelodi Sundowns. The Betway Premiership side traveled to Cairo with a goalless draw from the first leg in Pretoria before booking the final place via the away goal rule.
Riveiro accumulated 82 wins, 22 draws and 27 defeats in 131 competitive games at Pirates, receiving critical acclaim and leaving on amicable terms with the Soweto giants after announcing his departure back in early April.
Now, Riveiro is tasked with bringing glory back to the team, whose success is largely measured by world and continental titles. His first task will be to lead Al Ahly to the FIFA Club World Cup from 15 June to 13 July in the United States. Ahly will begin play in Group A on 14 June against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
