Ncikazi: Chiefs Are Favorites For Nedbank Cup Final

Ahead of Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final, Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has stated that his team is not the favourite to win the trophy.

Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates are set to clash in the Ke Yona Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite Pirates holding a recent advantage after defeating Chiefs in the league at FNB Stadium last weekend – their fifth consecutive win against their Soweto rivals, a feat that saw coach José Riveiro match the record previously held by former Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter – Ncikazi believes Chiefs enter the final as the favoured side.

Ncikazi argued that Chiefs’ past success against Pirates in cup finals, specifically their MTN8 victory in the 2014/15 season at the same venue, contributes to their favourite status.

“We know we are playing against a good team, Kaizer Chiefs,” Ncikazi said during the joint press conference in Durban on Wednesday.

“The history of the two teams in this competition shows that out of 23 encounters since its inception, we have won it 10 times, and they 13 times.

“Currently, they have scored 14 goals in this season’s competition, making them the top goal scorers, and they have only conceded two. So, it is not going to be an easy match.

“As always, we will approach this match aiming for victory, giving it our best shot, and attempting to make history by becoming the first club in the PSL era to win it three times consecutively.”

This assertion comes despite Pirates’ recent dominance in cup competitions, having won the MTN8 three times in a row, all played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Ncikazi still maintains that Chiefs are the favourites for the Nedbank Cup final.

Pirates have won the Nedbank Cup in the previous two seasons, defeating Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

If they triumph in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday, they will hold the record for the most wins (five) since Nedbank became the sponsor in 2008.