How Orlando Pirates' season turned into a nightmare

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Orlando Pirates looked set to win at least a treble this season, but things went south quickly for Jose Riveiro’s men.

In October, the Sea Robbers won the MTN8 and were top of the Betway Premiership after five matches played. At the time, it looked like Pirates would add on to their MTN8 title given how they played earlier in the season.

Despite a mini-slump in January and February, Jose Riveiro‘s men were still on a hunt to claim the CAF Champions League, Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup.

So how did Orlando Pirates season collapse?

On 3 April, Pirates released a statement on Riveiro’s departure. With three months remaining in his contract, many Bucs fans hoped the players would go all out and win several trophies for their coach.

25 April: Pyramids 3-2 Pirates

Three weeks later, the Buccaneers crashed out of the CAF CL semi-finals before losing to Sekhukhune United a few days after the agonising defeat. That saw Pirates now hoping for rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to drop points in the league.

10 May: Chiefs 2-1 Pirates

Despite back-to-back league wins against Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows, the title was already out of reach for the Sea Robbers. The only chance of saving their season was a win against Amakhosi in the Nedbank Cup, but Riveiro’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat, making it the first time the Spanish tactician had lost a final in his three years at Pirates.

Under the Spaniard, Orlando Pirates only lost eight of the 47 matches this season, but only three defeats spoiled their campaign.