Doctor Khumalo: Riveiro should have stayed at Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo feels Jose Riveiro made a mistake to take the Al Ahly job when a new contract was on the table at Orlando Pirates.

Riveiro was sacked by Al Ahly on Sunday, just three months since his appointment, having taken charge of seven games with the Cairo Red Devils.

The Spanish tactician joined Al Ahly with his stock high, having enjoyed three successful years with Pirates, who he led to five trophies, but his stay in Egypt has been difficult.

Riveiro won just one of his seven games in charge, three in the FIFA Club World Cup and four in the Egyptian Premier League, and it was Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Pyramids that proved to be the final straw.

Khumalo thinks Riveiro made wrong move

🔴 Khanyisa Mayo left out of CRB squad for the season after window closed last night in Algeria 🇩🇿 😮 #sabcsport411 pic.twitter.com/2ZsD8W1heZ
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) September 1, 2025

His sacking followed an outcry from fans, who claimed he was too defensive in his approach, and while some observers feel he should have been given time, Khumalo thinks he made the wrong choice.

“He should have [signed Pirates extension] because he was given what, five years? And remember, when he was at Pirates, he enjoyed a successful tenure with Orlando Pirates winning five trophies,” Khumalo said on SABC. “So, the future was bright there.”

The Chiefs legend then slammed the Egyptian giants for how they go about their business, warning coaches against signing for the club, unless they are really sure of what they will be getting themselves into.

Why is Chiefs legend not happy with Al Ahly?

Jose Riveiro with Al Ahly president Mahmoud Al Khatib. Photo Al Ahly

“But one thing I can tell you for sure is that Al Ahly drink successful coaches’ blood,” Khumalo added regarding Al Ahly’s handling of coaches.

“When you start to be successful in Africa, they grab you and then after that, two, three weeks you are out. Clearly, it is a lesson to other coaches that you need to be aware about that.”

Riveiro led Al Ahly to one win, four draws and two defeats, and is reportedly set to be replaced by Emad El Nahhas who led the club on an interim basis before the former Pirates coach was hired.