‘I Want To Feel The Stress Again!’: Ncikazi Explains Pirates Departure And Arrows Reunion
Lamontville Golden Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi insists he left Orlando Pirates after winning everything to embrace the raw pressure and hands-on challenge of head coaching once again.
Ncikazi departed Orlando Amstel Arena following reported friction with head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, ending a five-year tenure where he served as assistant, caretaker, and co-coach. His spell in Soweto culminated in a historic domestic treble last season, which included Pirates’ first league title in 14 years.
Following his exit, Ncikazi returned to Abafana Bes’thende to replace Pitso Dladla. However, his second stint in charge began with a 1-0 defeat to rivals AmaZulu in Saturday’s Durban Derby at Princess Magogo Stadium.
Reflecting on his career move, Ncikazi expressed gratitude to Pirates while outlining his motivation for taking the job in Durban.
“I thought, with gratitude, about where I’m coming from; I thought I had achieved everything as a coach,” said Ncikazi.
“And I’m grateful to the big institution – all the memories. I thank the supporters for sharing such memories with them. Then your next phase, after you have won everything, now as a coach, maybe a different challenge.
“I thought, let me go and work with young players, challenge myself. I don’t want to retire as a coach, not again, having the stress that I had today [on Saturday].”
Ncikazi previously led Arrows during the 2020/21 season, guiding the club to a fourth-place finish—their highest ever in Premier Soccer League history—before joining Pirates. He was also part of the technical staff as an assistant coach when Arrows set the PSL record for the largest cup final victory in their 6-0 MTN8 triumph in 2009.
“I thought it was an opportunity for me because, when Arrows gave me an opportunity, I said the club is still very close to my heart,” continued Ncikazi.
“The highest position Arrows ever achieved was in my presence; we broke almost all the records at the club.
“Maybe that craving was still there. Now, we have a challenge because, when I started previously, I had time. Right now, there is not too much time; we have another game on Tuesday [against Mamelodi Sundowns away in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals].”
Ncikazi inherits a Golden Arrows squad struggling for goals, having scored just three times in nine league matches while conceding five.
Addressing the attacking drought, Ncikazi conceded that solving the issue mid-season presents an immediate tactical hurdle.
“We train in certain aspects, but we are playing games. That is the responsibility of a coach; you must find a way. But I’m just concerned about us in the attacking third, us being so creative in the opponent’s half,” he said.
“Scoring so much, fewer goals. But I also saw with my eyes today [Saturday], in the first half, why we are where we are.”
