Riveiro details Pirates' impact on his readiness for Al Ahly
- Martin T
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Recently appointed Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro has discussed how his three-year stint at Orlando Pirates prepared him for the demanding role at the Egyptian giants.
The Spaniard, who joined Al Ahly in May 2025 after a successful period with the Buccaneers, detailed how his work in the PSL provided the foundation for navigating the challenges of African football's biggest club.
Currently settling in at Al Ahly, Riveiro left Bucs with a notable record of 80 wins, 26 draws, and 26 defeats in 132 matches, securing three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups alongside a CAF Champions League semi-final appearance.
In an interview on Al Ahly TV on Wednesday, the 49-year-old highlighted Pirates' success in developing young talent, citing the rise of players like Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi under his guidance.
"Being a coach at Orlando Pirates helped me a lot. I was running a project there to build a whole team of young players," Riveiro stated, as translated from Arabic. "It was difficult, but I learned a lot. I won five titles, participated in the African Championship, and reached the final stages of the championship more than once."
Riveiro further emphasised his role in nurturing young stars, attributing their success to inherent qualification and "scientific" training. He also credited the club's support system and management for their vision in developing a new generation of players capable of competing continentally.
"The experience at Pirates helped me a lot. I got to know Africa in my role and my abilities as a coach; I wasn't afraid," he added.
Regarding his move to Al Ahly, Riveiro acknowledged the cultural differences and expressed his readiness to adapt. "I am an expert, I know that I came here with a different culture... But I accept the challenges from the club," he declared. He further stressed his understanding of Al Ahly's winning culture, which he knew "before I came here."
"The first and the last culture of the club is to win all the championships you can participate in. And I know that I'm at a big club. I want to win all the championships available in front of me."
