Coach Ncikazi warns against complacency
ORLANDO Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has warned his players against any complacency after his team grabbed a valuable advantage in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup semi-final.
The Buccaneers put in a classic away performance at Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli and have put themselves in prime position to qualify for their second final in the competition through goals by Innocent Maela and Goodman Mosele in a 2-0 win on Sunday.
“The game is not over, this is just halftime. We are only leading because they can go to South Africa and do the same to us. We will treat the game very seriously because we understand the dynamics of African football, an away goal is very important,” Ncikazi said.
“We will afford them the respect they deserve in the second leg but not to the extent that it alters the way we play and how much we want to impose ourselves on the game, we'll just prepare for a good team.”
Pirates had less possession but looked alive when they counter attacked, registering 19 attempts on goal, seven of those on target.
Ncikazi expressed immense pride in how his charges performed, but also pointed to a few key elements in their finishing that they can work on.
“I thought we should've scored more goals.
“We applied ourselves very well to a very good team. I'm just very proud of my team,” he said.
“My boys came to the party and executed everything as we planned. I'm just being greedy because if we had gotten more goals we'd be more settled, but I'm grateful for the two goals and hopefully we can get to the final by playing well at home.”
The Confederation Cup is the club's last hope of a trophy this season after being bundled out in both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.
Although with one of the better squads in the local game, the Soweto club have not come close to the standards required to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership.
Ncikazi's men are in a better position to perform well to close off the season on a high, being able to field the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Deon Hotto and Goodman Mosele all at the same time.