Jose Riveiro gives Mandla Ncikazi his flowers

The Buccaneers sealed a historic third successive MTN8 title after beating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in the final on Saturday, taking their trophy haul to five since the Spaniard's arrival.

With Riveiro getting the plaudits for this success, the 49-year-old also shed light on the crucial role played by Ncikazi, who arrived at the club in July 2021 – initially as part of Josef Zinnbauer's support staff.

"Mandla's role, like many others in the staff, is important for an outsider like me, for a foreign coach coming in – and I know the game is the same wherever you go, football is football, but every country and league has different particularities," said Riveiro.

"Like South African football has its own identity, and that's something that as quick as you can learn about it as a foreign coach, the better for you and the team.

"So people like Mandla, we're talking about one coach that's been around for a long time in South African football, playing, coaching, he knows the space very well.

"So it gives you the opportunity to learn quickly about the place you are in, to understand a little bit better the people as human beings and as football players, as well as the opponents and many things.

"It's not only about football knowledge, everyone around the club and coaching staff have something on the table to contribute."

READ: Ncikazi: Working with Jose Riveiro has improved my coaching