Ncikazi Cautions Against Underestimating Orbit
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has made it clear that the team will not be taking newly promoted Orbit College lightly in their upcoming Betway Premiership match.
The two teams will face each other for the first time at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
The Buccaneers are on a high after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shootout on Saturday to secure a spot in the MTN8 final.
They will face Stellenbosch FC in the final on 13 September, likely to be at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and will be looking to continue their momentum and build on their recent league victory over Stellies.
“The importance of such matches is to see the opponent, their strengths and weaknesses, and remove the name,” Ncikazi said, emphasizing the need to respect their opposition.
“The danger of playing such matches is to think we are not going to face challenges.”
Ncikazi pointed out that Orbit College is a team with experience. “This is a very experienced side,” he noted, highlighting players like Letsie Koapeng, Tshepo Matsemela, and goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane, who is a Lesotho international.
“If you look at the quality of players that they have, it’s a very experienced side. We just have to impose our match and get three points in our home ground.”
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In other news, Monnapule Saleng will not be playing against Pirates due to a loan clause in his contract. The winger, who was part of the club’s previous MTN8 triumphs, was sent out on loan after his situation at the club became untenable.
On the injury front, Deano van Rooyen is still a doubt for the match. He missed the cup game against Sundowns on Saturday after picking up an injury in the last league match against Stellenbosch.
However, the team has been boosted by the return of defender Olisa Ndah, who is back in training. His fellow center-back and team captain, Nkosinathi Sibisi, continues his recovery from an earlier knock.
