Ncikazi must take opportunity to coach Pirates

When Mandla Ncikazi joined Orlando Pirates four seasons ago, he was tipped to become the head coach of the club in the near future.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

But that’s yet to take shape. The closest he came to calling the shots was when he was a co-coach alongside Fadlu Davids.

His influence in the team alongside Davids didn’t bear fruit during the 2021/22 season as he was deployed as an assistant when Jose Riveiro arrived the next season.

Ncikazi didn’t sulk or moan around under the Spaniard.

Instead, he welcomed Riveiro with open arms, supported him and learned from him.

The duo did incredibly well at Pirates together - they won five trophies, finished as runners-up in the league three times in a row and reached the CAF Champions League semi-final.

And so as Riveiro sat for his last game against Golden Arrows, Ncikazi’s former employees, that must have been emotional for Ncikazi as well.