“We Deload The Pressure”: The Psychological Secret Behind Pirates’ 8-Game Derby Unbeaten
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has expressed immense confidence in his squad ahead of Sunday’s 185th Soweto Derby, revealing a tactical “deloading” of mental pressure to keep the league leaders grounded.
The Buccaneers enter the sold-out FNB Stadium clash looking to repeat their dominant 3-0 first-round victory over Kaizer Chiefs. While Pirates currently lead the Betway Premiership with 58 points, the pressure is mounting as Mamelodi Sundowns—just two points behind—prepare to face Stellenbosch on Wednesday with games in hand.
Despite the high stakes, Ncikazi insists the team’s preparation remains identical to any other fixture.
Managing the Derby Hype
“We manage the mental demands on the players by keeping the external hype outside,” he said.
“The most important thing for us is that we are playing a match against an opponent. We analyse how they play and how they approach the game.
“We also instil confidence in the players—we’ve done it before, and we can do it again. In the past seven or eight derby matches, we have not lost. We are doing well as a team, and although we understand these are not ordinary fixtures, our approach does not change.
“If we continue doing what is required—based on how the opponent plays and what we want to impose as our identity—then this does not become a challenge for the players. That’s why we have full confidence in the squad.
“We approach matches the same way: we aim to dominate. If you give us the ball, we know how to use it, and if we lose it, we know how to regroup.”
The 57-year-old coach also addressed the broader conversation around Pirates’ title ambitions, making it clear that while winning the league is important, the team remains focused on taking things one game at a time.
“In our team meetings, there hasn’t been a strong emphasis on the importance of winning the league,” he added.
“I think it’s a bigger question whether the club’s policies have the capacity to deliver a league title. I’m not the right person to answer that, but based on the team we have—which has beaten every opponent we’ve faced—I don’t think policy limits the players’ ability.
“If we are capable of scoring 50 goals with five games remaining, and only one Pirates team has ever scored more (52), then it shows what this group can do.
“For us, it’s about winning matches, scoring goals, defending well, and supporting Sipho Chaine in keeping clean sheets. There are many records being broken, so I don’t think policy determines whether we win or lose the league.”
With confidence high and consistency key, Pirates will aim to extend their impressive run and assert their dominance once again in South Africa’s biggest football fixture.
