For Nabi and Riveiro, results in two Soweto derbies will mean the world

Though Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are now unlikely to disturb Mamelodi Sundowns on their march to win a record-extending eighth successive Betway Premiership title, there's still a lot more than bragging rights for the two to play for in the Soweto derby on Saturday.

Pirates' challenge for the league title suffered a blow when they lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

On the same night, Sundowns opened a 12-point gap at the summit after beating Richards Bay 3-0 in Pretoria and they now need only to win a couple of matches in their remaining five to be confirmed as champions.

After the loss to Sekhukhune — which left Pirates with seven matches — what became clear is that the Bucs' season would have been saved from further derailment if they were to finish second behind Sundowns for a third successive season under departing coach Jose Riveiro.

For now, that scenario is not guaranteed if they don't start in the Soweto derby on Saturday to collect maximum points.

Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch FC are breathing down Pirates' neck in their own attempt to finish second and earn a ticket to play in the Caf Champions League next season.

With the hope of winning the Champions League now gone after their loss in the semifinals to Egyptian club Pyramids last week, Pirates' season will only be saved if they finish second and add the Nedbank Cup to the MTN8 they won for the third time at the start of the season.

Riveiro will go to Saturday's derby hoping for a win to equal Stuart Baxter's record of five wins in this fixture in the PSL era.

Another victory against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10 would see the Spaniard hold the record of most wins in the Soweto derby, but more importantly he would leave Pirates having won them six domestic trophies in three seasons.

“It's a must for us, and it's a must for our fans to win,” Riveiro said in Johannesburg on Thursday of the importance of victory against Chiefs on Saturday.

For Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, winning the next two games against the club's nemesis will help erase a forgettable debut season he's had with Amakhosi.

Nabi's biggest task is to end the trophy drought that will span 10 years if they don't beat Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the cup final on May 10.

The situation is gloomier for Chiefs in the league as they've already lost 11 matches and are already outside the top 8 and may finish in a worse position than they did last season when ended 10th (their worst ever finish in the league) if they don't win their last three matches, including Saturday's derby.

While Nabi described South Africa's biggest fixture as a heritage event more than anything else, he agreed that winning both matches against Pirates plus the other two last league fixtures against Sekhukhune and Polokwane City, may bring back hope to the club's fans.

Those wins may also give meaning to the “process” that the Tunisian has always emphasise he's busy with at Naturena.

“The possibilities (of winning) are open for both teams,” Nabi said of Saturday's encounter.

Can Chiefs deliver a surprise against Pirates on Saturday and do what they did when they defeated Sundowns in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup, Nabi was asked on Thursday.

But that this question was framed like this tells a story of a fallen giant whose ability to win matches cannot be likened with the era of the late Pule “Ace” Ntsoelengoe and Teenage Dladla, whose supreme abilities almost guaranteed a win for Chiefs in these Soweto derbies.

“Despite our log standing, we believe that whoever wants to win the most on Saturday will win. We know that we're still the biggest club in South Africa and we know we're capable of winning in these big matches,” Nabi said. 

Indeed, the most that is left of the Soweto derby is the prestige, culture and heritage of this fixture that Nabi so aptly spoke about on Thursday.

On the field both teams have disappointed their fans particularly in a season in which Nabi was expected to hit the road running and not talk about a process which might come to maturity in two or three seasons to come.

Riveiro too, as much as he's praised for taking Pirates to the semifinals of the Champions League and showing trust in young players such as Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, his efforts in trying to catch up with Sundowns has pretty much fallen flat.

Pirates finished 16 and 24 points behind Sundowns in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 campaigns respectively, and one would have thought the Spaniard was capable of not only reducing this gap this season but beating Sundowns to the league title in his third attempt.

But Bucs' fifth league defeat to Sekhukhune made it clear that the class between the two will remain the same if not worse as Riveiro drags himself to finish his last days at Pirates after his pending departure was announced at the beginning of April.

Riveiro was asked on Thursday if revealing his departure was going to have an impact on the team's results.

This question was never asked until Pirates lost the last two games against Pyramids and Sekhukhune, but Riveiro insisted he's still very much focused on his job at Pirates and appreciates everything he's achieved with the Soweto giants.

“It was a good way to avoid the speculation,” said Riveiro of Pirates' decision to announce his departure. “It's a good way to keep our form under control and at the same time it was some form of transparency from our club, and it was well executed. Why not? 

“I don't think it will be the last time this is done, and I think it's a good way to understand the situation of the club and the coach. I'm happy with the way the club handled this situation.”     

So good was his stay at Pirates that Riveiro didn't rule out the possibility of coming back one day, though he left it to speculation as to what is it that he will come back to do.

“Personally, I'm not the same person any more. It's been a journey. Three years at Pirates — it's something very special for many reasons. Obviously having the opportunity to affect the lives of many millions is a big responsibility.

“But it's a responsibility that is a privilege at the same time. I'm impressed with the league, impressed with the level of South African players in general, not only my players. I'm not surprised any more, but it's so nice to coach here with the level of players under your control.

“Personally, I've had an opportunity to work with exceptional human beings, especially the players. I tell them every day about how happy they make me as a coach and as a person. We have that relationship and it will last forever. I will be back one day hopefully as a tourist or in Pirates as well one day.

“I'm so happy and so thankful for the opportunity to work in a league like this one and be part of these guys, the life of these guys.”

It will all end well for Riveiro if he does well in Pirates' eight remaining games (in all competitions) of the season. But even if he were to lose all the other six and win the two against Chiefs, no Pirates supporter will ever forget him.

Nabi too knows that his future with Chiefs hinges on the two results he will get against Pirates. It is that scenario which makes these two derbies more than just another gig, especially for these two coaches.