Ncikazi Cites Fatigue After SuperSport Win

Orlando Pirates’ caretaker coach Mandla Ncikazi attributed his players’ somewhat labored performance to the sheer volume of matches played this season, noting they have already completed 50 games and given their utmost.

Pirates further compounded SuperSport United’s troubles as Mohau Nkota’s goal secured a vital win for the Soweto Giants at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.

In a game that largely lacked entertainment and spark, Nkota illuminated the match when he cut inside in the 72nd minute, netting the goal that gave Pirates the win and moved them to 59 points after 26 matches.

This achievement surpasses the points tally accumulated in the past two seasons under former coach Jose Riveiro, who departed two weeks ago.

“Maybe the contribution of the substitutes that we made, I thought they contributed well today,” said Ncikazi on SuperSport TV after the game. “Now, subconsciously, what happened last week [when we led and TS Galaxy scored at the end to get a draw], you are thinking, and when the team is playing game number 50, and you know that it was the end of the legs, they will give in. But I’m proud of the boys, that they battled until the end. You could see when they threw in Samir Nurkovic, all their strikers. Now you knew what was going to happen, but I’m just proud of the team that today we could get these three points.”

However, the absence of Riveiro’s influence is clearly being felt within this Pirates side, a sentiment that was evident against Galaxy over the weekend, with Ncikazi now at the helm as caretaker coach.

In the final minute of the game, Nyiko Mobbie came agonizingly close for SuperSport, as his header struck the woodwork before the ball went to safety. That specific action was the only moment that saw debutant goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla truly tested in goals for Pirates during the match.

“These human beings are amazing, no complaints, they take in every day, they are there every day, no complaints, and one can only be proud that this group of players are willing to put their names in the history of the club,” Ncikazi added. “And I’m just happy for the young boys that are getting the opportunity. They’re using it correctly. Another one today. I thought Siyabonga, you couldn’t tell it was a young boy in the sticks [for the first time in the PSL], proud of the history of this club.”

Pirates will face AmaZulu in their penultimate game of the season at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday [15:00].