Mandla Ncikazi: Orlando Pirates still have so much to fight for

The expectations that come with playing for Orlando Pirates are so high that players do not have room for complacency when they play for the team.

This was the revelation of Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi after his troops bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United.

Pirates secured their No 2 spot on the log with five games to spare, as Mamelodi Sundowns had wrapped up the Premiership title this season.

But after Ncikazi dropped the ball in the second game of those five, having former coach Jose Riveiro win the first one in his last outing, that incensed The Ghost.

They saw their chances of avoiding the gap at the top of the log to not end on double digits take a huge knock ahead of their last three games.

Ncikazi and his troops heeded positively to the critics on Tuesday night in Polokwane, though, as they beat SuperSport United 1-0 to trim the gap to 14 points with two games to spare.

That win didn’t only mean the gap could be eight points by the end of the season, but it also saw Pirates break an 18-game winning record in the league for the first time in the PSL era.

Ncikazi, speaking during the post-match duties deep in the bowels of New Peter Mokaba Stadium, was relatively pleased by that achievement.

However, the 56-year-old added why it’s important for the team to win with every passing game, even if there is no silverware to compete for.

“Contrary to people believing that we have nothing to play for, I feel there’s still so much to play for in our team,” he said.

“The records are important for the club, and the players must be proud of the history – having done what happened. It is game number 19.

“Secondly, there’s still individual awards for all these players to compete for – the Goalkeeper of the Season might come from our club (during the award ceremony).

“A defender of the season might come from us – (Nkosinathi) Sibisi and (Deon) Hotto have an opportunity. There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet.”

Ncikazi has continued with where Riveiro left off, integrating more youngsters into the team as goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla made a full debut against SuperSport.

It was a good day in the office for Dladla, so much so that he also kept a clean sheet as No 1 Sipho Chaine, who was rested after being injured against TS Galaxy last Saturday, watched from the bench.

“I am happy for the young players that we gave an opportunity to today – Siya, the goalkeeper, produced a good performance,” Ncikazi said.

“We are playing game number 50, so we know that physically it was going to tell towards the end. Subconsciously, I am just proud that the other players pulled through.”

Another youngster, Simphiwe Selepe, who produced a Player of the Match-winning first start for Pirates against Galaxy, shone yet again on Tuesday, impressing Ncikazi.

“It’s amazing how these youngsters are adapting, but again, credit must be given to the process of the club, youth coach and former coach,” Ncikazi said.

“It’s just a lot of process from different people.

“It’s not only Selepe, but a group of them that are waiting for the opportunity. I hope we give them an opportunity and grab it!”

It is not only the youngsters who are coming to the fore for Pirates and easing the workload on the regulars who’ve been playing week in and week out, but seniors as well.

Karim Kimvuidi crowned off another cameo with a goal contribution, assisting Mohau Nkota’s lone goal.

“We have got quality, and that tells you that we have options. I am very proud that Kimvuidi has not played for a long time, but when he plays, he gives a crucial assist,” he said.

“That’s why we have subs.

“I said in the change-room at the stage that we are in and having played so many games, substitutes become important.

“So, the game might be at a stalemate where we will get extra energy from the bench. And Karim did that for the team.”