Ncikazi Tips Pirates To Bank On Youngsters Over Delving Into Market
Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has tipped the club’s hierarchy to put trust in the youngsters instead of delving into the market to recruit seasoned professionals, ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
The Buccaneers concluded the just-ended season on an underwhelming note as they lost three titles in a space of a few weeks. This prompted the early release of coach Jose Riveiro from his contract, as the club had nothing to play for
However, there was a silver lining, with the club having clinched the MTN8 trophy for the third time in a row and a ticket back to the CAF Champions League following a third successive runners-up finish to record-extending eighth consecutive champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
Despite a promising campaign collapsing in the latter stages, Pirates unearthed more gems in the reserve team. The KZN-born mentor believes the starlets have a future at the club, drawing parallels to the famous Bucs team spearheaded by veteran Serbian tactician Kosta Papic in 2005/06 season.
“If I had to refer, I think there was a team that was coached by coach Kosta [Papic], which included [the late] Gift Leremi. I’m sure they were also adopting the same approach as youngsters, Phumudzo Manenzhe was part of that group, also [Joseph] Duku Duku Makhanya,” said Ncikazi.
With teams already making moves in the transfer market, Ncikazi cautioned the Sea Robbers against recruiting established players who have already played under different coaching philosophies, urging the club to bank on the youngsters at their disposal.
“I think the type of football that is played needs a lot of energy, and you can get that from youngsters if you coach them structurally and give them the support. I think it’s better to use them than to recycle players that have played for a lot of teams,” he added.
“It’s my personal opinion that I would rather teach a youngster like [Simphiwe] Selepe how to play and there’s still room for improvement, than trying to get somebody who has gone to so many clubs and been exposed to too many coaching philosophies and try to transform him to be better.
“For me, it’s a gain for our club to get youngsters. Selepe is not a youngster now, Rele [Mofokeng] has done it, and Boitumelo Radiopane is also improving. So, for me, it’s gains rather than worries about what will happen next.
“We gain more, I can guarantee you that Pirates have got options. If you were to go on the market to buy, would you buy a striker in all other countries in Africa, or would you try and groom Radiopane? And I thought the approach from the club is the right one, there are gains than losses.”
The former Golden Arrows coach continued: “The report that says how many players are needed [to bolster the squad], I’m sure there are five or six young players who will be ready to assume positions. Others need further development, but they will be integrated at the right time.”
