Ncikazi’s Caretaker Debut Ends In A Draw

Orlando Pirates’ caretaker coach Mandla Ncikazi had a mixed start to his tenure, with the Buccaneers playing out a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Ncikazi took over the reins after Spanish coach Jose Riveiro’s departure, following his last game against Golden Arrows on Tuesday.

Right-back Bandile Shandu scored the opening goal for Pirates in the 64th minute, assisted by Mohau Nkota, marking his second goal this week after scoring against Arrows earlier in the week.

However, TS Galaxy equalized on the stroke of full-time through Mpho Mvelase, after the Buccaneers had dominated parts of the match.

The game started at a high tempo, with both teams’ defenders doing well in the first 10 minutes.

Despite a few attempts, neither team managed to create significant scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.

A notable chance came in the 33rd minute when Deon Hotto’s free-kick was comfortably saved by TS Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tape.

In the second half, Ncikazi made an early substitution, bringing in goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi for Sipho Chaine.

TS Galaxy controlled parts of the second half but failed to capitalize on their chances until Mvelase’s late equalizer.

Orlando Pirates nearly scored in the 59th minute through Tshegofatso Mabasa and Patrick Maswanganyi’s combination play, but Maswanganyi’s shot hit the outside of the post.

After Shandu’s opening goal, Ncikazi made further tactical substitutions, introducing Boitumelo Radiopane and Thuso Moleleki for Mohau Nkota and Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 74th minute.

TS Galaxy almost got an equalizer after 90 minutes, but the former Galaxy goalkeeper Buthelezi made a great save to deny his former team an equalizer.

Fortunately for the Rockets, they got another chance on the stroke of full-time through Mpho Mvelase who beat Buthelezi.

The draw means Pirates remain in second place with 56 points from 25 games. With three matches remaining, the Buccaneers will face SuperSport United on Tuesday, followed by matches against AmaZulu and Magesi.