Pirates newcomer Nyauza stands tall
THERE is a breath of fresh air in the Orlando Pirates camp. It’s not new trainer Vladimir Vermezovic, but a 23-year-old from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Ntsikelelo Nyauza has helped cut the average age of the Buccaneers defence in a season in which there are plenty of tired legs and coaching changes.
Nyauza is no greenhorn to top-flight football, but his inclusion in the Pirates line-up for six consecutive Absa Premiership matches — including two Soweto derby debuts in a week, against Moroka Swallows and arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs — made supporters sit up and take note.
His breakthrough season came under Owen da Gama at Platinum Stars in February 2011, and he featured prominently until the coach was sacked.
Nyauza looked set to kick his heels until his mentor, former Mamelodi Sundowns great Harold “Jazzy Queen” Legodi, convinced Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza to take a calculated risk by signing the defender. Legodi recruited Nyauza to his Africa Sport Youth Development Academy when he was 16.
The Buccaneers have been relying on an ageing defence, with skipper Lucky Lekgwathi turning 38 next season and Rooi Mahamutsa and Siyabonga Sangweni both 32.
Nyauza has kept vice-
Ntsiki is surrounded by players with so much experience
captain Happy Jele, 27, out of the team, although injuries also played their part.
“I’d heard he was a decent player in a team that wasn’t so good, so I went to see for myself,” said Legodi. “At one stage I took him for trials at Pirates when [Ruud] Krol was there. But they could not sign him because the regis- tration was about to close and, obviously, he was still a risk. He’d never played professional football before.
“Then Owen signed him at Platinum Stars, but played him as a central midfielder and used him a lot for a player who was only meant to be assessed for six months. When Owen left, his chances were limited and I took him to [National First Division side] Roses United, but there were too many issues there.”
Legodi said Nyauza has shown remarkable character, despite his parents dying within a year of each other.
He said there were glaring similarities between Nyauza and Pirates captain Lekgwathi, who remains a key member of the Buccaneers squad at a time when many players his age have retired.
“Ntsiki is fortunate to be surrounded by players with so much experience. He will do well with Lekgwathi, Mahamutsa and Jele to guide him. He’s come in and immediately made an impact but, for me, Jele is still more experienced. Ntsiki is committed and always gives his all,” said Legodi.
Da Gama, who used Nyauza in 24 matches over a season and a half, admitted the defender had a reckless streak while he was with Dikwena. He missed five games through suspension, but that has changed.
“I think he has matured. Part of that aggressive nature was because he was an
The defender had a reckless streak and missed five games
overzealous youngster who wanted to prove himself. He is a good acquisition for Pirates,” said Da Gama.
“I would never play him as a centre back because of his height, [but] rather as anchorman because he is one of the best markers in the country. He’s the perfect understudy for Jele.”