CAIRO (AP) — Spanish coach José Riveiro was released Monday by South African soccer club Orlando Pirates amid reports he will go to Egypt and join Al Ahly ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.
Al Ahly plays Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the opening game of the monthlong FIFA tournament on June 14.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates for allowing me the opportunity to leave before the end of my contract,” Riveiro said in a statement on the club’s website.
Al Ahly, the African champion in four of the past five seasons, has been without a full-time coach since Marcel Koller left last month after elimination in the CAF Champions League semifinals by Mamelodi Sundowns.