Lekgwathi understands Stellies’ pain but hails Riveiro for Pirates’ three-peat

As Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker spent most of his media conference lashing out at referee Abongile Tom after their 3-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on Saturday, he was afforded sympathy from an unlikely source.

Speaking exclusively to the Dispatch and TimesLIVE Premium at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said he understood the Stellies coach’s frustration.

He shared some of Barker’s sentiment that the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) might help reduce the number of clangers made by officials in South Africa.

Tom permitted Pirates to take a fast free-kick from an incorrect spot, resulting in them scoring through Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 91st minute.

A deflated Stellies, who had the wind taken out of their sails, were soon dealt another blow as Relebohile Mofokeng scored the third in the 96th minute to secure Pirates’ third MTN8 trophy on the trot. This latest incident comes a week after controversial refereeing was placed in the spotlight after a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

“Yes, we can complain about the second goal, but Pirates still scored the third goal,” Lekgwathi said.

“There are some frustrated Stellies fans,  but the referee is human and will make mistakes. Maybe the [VAR] method coming in might help them, but even then it will be operated by the same referees, so it’s about training.”

The Sea Robbers became the first team to win the top eight competition (known through the years as the BP Top 8/ SAA Supa 8 and MTN8) three consecutive times since its formation in 1972. “When you join Pirates, they tell you it is a team of history and that when you leave you have to leave a legacy,” said Lekgwathi, who captained Pirates to six major trophies in two seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), making Pirates the only Double Treble Champions since the formation of the PSL.

“Those boys in the Pirates team that have won it three times, their. Their names will be in the history of Orlando Pirates. They say football is a short career, but if you achieve the way these guys are achieving, after soccer they will be relevant because of their achievements,” he said.

It has not been easy for the coach to come and achieve what he achieved. He was called a plumber at the start, but now he is one of the best coaches to have ever coached Orlando Pirates.

—  Lucky Lekgwathi 

Lekgwathi praised Jose Riveiro, whose tenure as head coach of Orlando Pirates has transformed the club’s fortunes. First branded a “plumber” — a term used to discredit European coaches who struggle to produce the goods in South Africa — Riveiro has silenced his critics with his impressive achievements.

In a little over two years, he has won five trophies, the highest number for any coach at Pirates since Tony Sanderson. “It has not been easy for the coach to come and achieve what he achieved,” Lekgwathi said.

“He was called a plumber at the start, but now he is one of the best coaches to have ever coached Pirates. Winning five trophies in just two seasons, he has already cemented himself in the history books at Orlando Pirates. He will never be forgotten.”

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