Latest news with #MandlaNcikazi
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mandla Ncikazi optimistic: Orlando Pirates set for improvement next season after Magesi draw
MORE TO COME Mandla Ncikazi remained optimistic about Orlando Pirates' improvement next season after their 1-1 draw with Magesi FC, despite his likely return to an assistant role. Picture: BackpagePix 'Orlando Pirates will be a better team next season,' said Ncikazi after the match. Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring in the seventh minute, only for his strike to be cancelled out by Edmore Chirambadare just after the half-hour mark. In something of an anti-climax as Mamelodi Sundowns had clinched the league title almost two weeks prior, Pirates still had to play their last match a few days after the 'final weekend' of league action. Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi insisted his charges would be a better team next season, following their 1-1 draw with Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening to conclude their Betway Premiership campaign. Ncikazi's Leadership Journey at Orlando Pirates: Reflecting on Challenges and Future Growth 'Pirates will improve – I trust the wisdom that is in that office of ours," he added. Ncikazi took charge of Pirates after former coach José Riveiro was allowed to leave his post early, with his last match in charge being the 3-0 league win over Golden Arrows on May 13. Since then, Ncikazi has led Pirates to three draws and a loss. 'We will have to take stock, we will have to compile our reports, where did we get it wrong, can we improve. "We can be better, where do we have to reinforce where we think we were doing well and after that I'm sure solutions will come out and we will be a better team next season.' Though it seems that Ncikazi will not continue as head coach as an assistant role is more likely, the 56-year-old was committed to catch Sundowns who have now won the last eight league titles in a row. 'I'm a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture, and how I'm wired, this has nothing to do with me, it's a mission. When you are at Pirates, you are sent. You must fulfil the mission. But growth in the club depends on how you look at it. I look at the positive side of life.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ncikazi aims for strong send-off as Orlando Pirates host resurgent Magesi in season finale
Rising star Simphiwe Selepe celebrated his first goal for Orlando Pirates this past weekend after earning a fourth consecutive start, showcasing his growing influence in the midfield. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The curtain is set to fall on Mandla Ncikazi's brief but impactful tenure as interim coach of Orlando Pirates, as the team prepare to face Magesi in a Betway Premiership clash on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7.30pm). Since taking charge following the departure of José Riveiro, Ncikazi has maintained an impressive unbeaten record in three matches. The team's form suggests they could end their league campaign on a high with another win. Ncikazi will be fully aware of the threat posed by Magesi, who, under seasoned mentor Owen da Gama, have shown significant improvement during the second half of the Premiership season. For much of the campaign, Magesi were embroiled in a relegation battle, but a strong run — suffering just one defeat in their last five outings — has ensured their safety. The Limpopo-based outfit managed only one win in their first nine matches and found themselves rooted to the foot of the table at the start of January, when Da Gama was appointed as Clinton Larsen's successor. At that stage, relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship seemed inevitable. However, Da Gama orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, winning seven of his first 19 games in charge to secure the club's top-flight status. Magesi could still finish as high as ninth, provided they pull off another upset in Soweto — the same ground where they defeated Pirates 3-2 in the Carling Knockout. To reach the Top 8, however, they would need to win by at least five goals. Pirates are currently in the process of appointing a new head coach, and Ncikazi's future at the club remains uncertain. He has acknowledged that the incoming coach may choose to bring in a new technical team. Nevertheless, Ncikazi has affirmed his commitment to the Soweto giants for as long as he is wanted. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi, Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media "I'm just proud of the contribution that I'm making at the club and being appreciated by the club. And as long as it's still like that, I'll always be the servant of this club until I'm told otherwise," said Ncikazi. "I'm a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture, and how I'm wired, this has nothing to do with me — it's a mission. When you are at Pirates, you are sent. You must fulfil the mission." With second place already secured, Ncikazi may be tempted to give more game time to the club's younger players against Magesi. He handed Simphiwe Selepe his fourth consecutive start against AmaZulu at the weekend, and the midfielder repaid the coach's faith by scoring the equaliser — his first goal for the club. Selepe is the latest exciting prospect at Mayfair, seemingly set to follow in the footsteps of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota. For Magesi, Mcedi Vandala has proved to be an astute January signing from Sekhukhune United. The 30-year-old winger has contributed four goals and two assists since joining the club and showcased his composure by converting a penalty against Gallants — his third successful spot-kick.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mandla Ncikazi says Orlando Pirates have built a foundation for next season
Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has to rally his troops one last time this season, against Magesi, on Wednesday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Orlando Pirates will have one last chance to wrap up their campaign on a positive note when they host Magesi FC in a Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7.30pm). Despite falling short in their pursuit of the league title, the Nedbank Cup, and a CAF Champions League spot, the Buccaneers still have something to play for in their final league fixture. The Sea Robbers secured a 1-0 victory over Magesi in the reverse fixture held at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium back in December, and another win would not only cap off their campaign on a high note but also help narrow the final points deficit to Mamelodi Sundowns. Last season, the Soweto giants finished second but were a staggering 23 points behind Sundowns. That gulf underscored just how much more Pirates needed to improve to truly challenge the defending champions. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In the 2024/25 campaign, they managed to mount a stronger challenge and kept pace with Sundowns deep into the season. However, the Pretoria outfit showcased their superior depth and consistency when it mattered most, once again claiming the league honours for the eighth season in a row. Now facing Magesi in their season finale, the Buccaneers have the opportunity to reach 63 points — a significant improvement on last season's 50, especially considering they played two fewer games, marking a season of upward trajectory despite some of the shortfalls. Interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has been at the helm since Jose Riveiro's departure and oversaw the team's 1-1 draw against AmaZulu this past weekend. He expressed satisfaction with his squad's performance, particularly the younger players who stepped up when needed, and also believes their improvements could be seen in the season to come. 'These young players are history makers,' Ncikazi commented. 'It's for the first time this side finds themselves where they are, and I am certain we have created a good foundation for a good start next season. The targets that the club had at the beginning of the season — most of them have been met, but we are not perfect. We didn't meet all of them. 'We must learn from what happened this season — where we can improve going forward, where we can reinforce our thoughts, where are our weaknesses and where can we improve on that. But for me, from where we were last season to where we are now, there is a lot of improvement.'
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mandla Ncikazi happy with Orlando Pirates' ‘positive' season
Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi voiced his satisfaction with their 2024-2025 season, highlighting narrowing the gap with champions Mamelodi Sundowns and the introduction of many promising young stars as positive takeaways. Last season, Pirates finished as runners-up, 23 points behind champions Sundowns. The season before second-placed Bucs were 16 points adrift of the now eight-time successive Premiership title-holders. This season the gap could be 10 points, should Pirates win their last game of the season against Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm). Bucs only won the MTN8 this season, losing to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final and Pyramids FC in the Caf Champions League semifinals.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mandla Ncikazi content with any long-term role at Orlando Pirates
HOPING FOR MORE Mandla Ncikazi is aiming for a long-term role with Orlando Pirates, reflecting on the team's growth and ambitions following José Riveiro's departure. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers In fact, since Riveiro left, Pirates have earned five points of a possible nine but it mattered little as the Soweto Giants had just about secured their runner-up finish behind Mamelodi Sundowns . There is still one league match remaining for Pirates, but it will not affect their final position on the log. Riveiro left the club early ahead of the expiration of his contract, meaning Ncikazi was charged to lead the team as interim coach for the last four games of their Betway Premiership campaign. In the wake of José Riveiro 's departure as Orlando Pirates coach, Mandla Ncikazi is hoping he will remain in a key role for the club next season. Ncikazi Reflects on Pirates' Season: Commitment, Growth, and Future Ambitions After Pirates' 1-1 draw with AmaZulu over the weekend, Ncikazi said: 'I'm wired differently, I'm working at Pirates, if I'm there, they are good enough, if I'm not there and it's decided, they are still good enough. 'I'm just proud of the contribution that I'm making at the club and being appreciated by the club. And as long as it's still like that, I'll always be the servant of this club until I'm told otherwise.' Though it seems that Ncikazi will not continue as head coach as an assistant role is more likely, the 56-year-old was committed to catch Sundowns who have now won the last eight league titles in a row. 'I'm a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture, and how I'm wired, this has nothing to do with me, it's a mission. When you are at Pirates, you are sent. You must fulfil the mission. But growth in the club depends on how you look at it. I look at the positive side of life. 'The growth that has been mentioned, the narrowing of the gap [between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns], the records that have been broken, the youngsters that have been introduced, those are positives. 'Yes, we fell short on some objectives that we wanted, and one can only learn from that and improve going into the next season.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
