Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza claims that the Spanish head coach of the team has imparted some valuable knowledge to him.
Khoza asserts that he has taken a great lesson from Jose Riveiro, whom the chairman appointed ahead of the 2022/2023 season.
Orlando Pirates supremo learns the power of silence
Khoza feels that the humble and modest Spaniard has much to teach him.
“He taught me what I now talk about, the power of silence,” Khoza said according to the SABC.
“You can see he is a modest person, he doesn’t talk much. And I remember talking about it — work hard in silence and let the result be your success.
“He is a hard worker behind the scenes, but you won’t see it because he is of a demeanour that is belying his fortitude, his attitude in his work ethics.”
Like no other
Orlando Pirates chairman Khoza has received praise from many.
Few have waxed lyrical like Augusto Palacios.
“His passion for football cannot be compared. He and Kaizer Motaung are the two people who are guiding the country when it comes to football,” Palacios told KickOff.
“But the Chairman has made an impact in revolutionizing the league, all the clubs were struggling in the financial aspect. His interest has always been the PSL. To him, it didn’t matter if he was a chairman of Orlando Pirates.
“He was the Chief of Security for South Africa in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He was also the chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was recognized by FIFA,” he explained.
“I have known him since 1995, and from 1996 I was at Pirates. Remember, we had clubs who owed money to players. Look at how he is currently helping the National First Division with the Motsepe Foundation sponsorship. Which sponsors would be attracted to our clubs if he were not in the leadership?
“He never took any advantage of the sponsors and only wanted them to benefit Orlando Pirates. He wanted sponsors to grow football as a whole, not just Pirates. For example, the Carling Cup was only contested by Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but now it’s open for all the teams. That alone shows you he is not selfish, he looks after football in the country.
“And remember, he was once the vice president of SAFA. Only if SAFA and the PSL can work together, we will be the best country in Africa when it comes to football,” continued the veteran development coach.
“But if he steps down, who is going to replace him with his calibre and experience? Where are the sponsors going to get someone with the experience he has? That’s my only concern. As a sponsor, you need someone experienced to guarantee you that everything will be running smoothly.
No better man for the job than Orlando Pirates’ head honcho
“The running of the PSL is not a piece of cake, it’s a huge responsibility, and you need to make it attractive. Look at the DStv Diski Challenge, how many clubs have travelled overseas as champions?
“For me, age doesn’t count, he is 76, but that counts for nothing. In the PSL and in the Premier League, you still have 75-year-olds who are still working as coaches. The coach of Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos is almost 70, but his energy is fantastic.
“And Dr. Khoza, he is very healthy, he is not drinking, he is not smoking. I know him very well. Eating healthy food. I’ve worked with him for almost 27 years. He can remain in football for 10 more years.
“And his children are doing very well. Nkosana is doing very well at Pirates. He has always been guiding him. People think Nkosana only came to football now, and no, that’s not the case. So this, for me, is surprising news, and I want him to continue for another 10 years,” he concluded.
Hard work gets you places says Khoza
Khoza has also recently extolled the virtues of hard work using the example of iconic South African coach Pitso Mosimane.
“I have to make the kids understand that you don’t get things without hard work. You must earn them and Pitso in his eyes, in his veins, has always shown determination,” Khoza said while appearing at the opening of Pitso Mosimane Multipurpose Sports Court at Lofentse Girls High School in Orlando East in Soweto.
“How do you expect a guy from South Africa, playing a game in Sudan, going to a taxi to Algeria, in a taxi he doesn’t speak the language and he’s not sure what’s gonna happen with him? His success today is because of his commitment and work ethic.
“It is important for people like Pitso to be put on a pedestal, to motivate all the kids that think things are easy. Kids today are on Instagram and Facebook but there’s more effort required than Instagram and Facebook. Especially now that we are competing globally.
“Pitso had no boundaries. He never undermined himself. In fact, at the awards, you were there when I said ‘Watch this boy, he’s gonna surprise Africa, long before it happened. Today it’s important for me to repeat it in front of the school children.
“To say he did not get this thing by mistake, by contacts, he worked very hard. So, work ethic is very important that is why people like Mandela [Nelson], and Desmond Tutu, gave themselves for the good of people. So, what is required of us is to die a little for those who are disadvantaged.”
