In the three years that he has been Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro is still captivated and enthralled by how the Soweto derby is so unique and how the fans sit together to soak up the atmosphere at the game.
The Soweto derby is rated among the best in the world, and in other derbies, the rivalry is so intense and emotional and, more often than not, very dangerous. But in the Soweto derby, both sets of fans can travel together, sit alongside each other, chant and sing the same songs, and still create an electrifying atmosphere.
Unusual rivalry
This does not happen anywhere else in the world, and it has left the outgoing Spanish mentor fascinated and in awe. Riveiro has not renewed his contract with the Bucs and thus will be leaving the Sea Robbers at the end of the season.
Last Saturday, the “Spanish Guitar”, as Riveiro is fondly known, witnessed another derby at the full-to-capacity gigantic FNB Stadium. Pirates continued their dominance over Amakhosi and romped home with a 2-1 victory. Chiefs had opened the scoring via the boot of Glody Lilepo while Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng netted for the Bucs.
“It [Soweto derby] is something unique, something that wherever I go, it is going to be difficult to experience something like it—I can never explain it. It’s a proper football party. It is unique having the fans watching the game sitting together, celebrating without any problems,” Riveiro said after the Bucs’ victory.
It’s history worth protecting
“These two clubs are the proper history of SA football, and this is something that you need to protect forever. I always try to explain to people on the other side of the world what it means to be part of the Soweto derby. They do not understand it, and hopefully they can be attracted by this kind of show to come and experience it for themselves,” he added.
“I think we had more opportunities to finalise the game more comfortably. I think it was a good football game, with both sides playing offensive football and trying to find a good result.
“In the second half, we tried to do our job; we tried to get the players to do more on the field, and the effort that they put in was second to none—lots of credit to the boys because they are doing a fantastic job.
Smiles all round
“Young Relebohile has been putting smiles on all our faces, and the faces of all the Buccaneers supporters since he started playing for us. The other boys are getting the experience from him as well. We played with six youngsters on the field, and that is great for the club.”
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