Buccaneers are in better shape
NCIKAZI: MINOR CONCERNS AHEAD OF AMAZULU CLASH
Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi says his squad looks much better than last year, with a number of players returning from injuries, ahead of their Nedbank Cup last32 clash with AmaZulu tomorrow.
The Buccaneers, however, do have problems here and there ahead of the meeting with Usuthu.
The Buccaneers begin the year with winger Vincent Pule still out due to an injury sustained while on national duty with Bafana Bafana, ahead of their meeting with Ethiopia in a Fifa World Cup qualifier in October.
Pule was expected not to be out for more than three months, and despite the club saying he is making good progress, it seems like Ncikazi and the rest of the Bucs technical team don’t want to rush the skilful winger back into the team.
Thembinkosi Lorch and Zakhele Lepasa are also not yet back at their best.
“I haven’t had the opportunity of fielding a full team but it’s better than it was before,” said Ncikazi. Pule is still out, Lepasa is back but not at his best yet, Lorch is the same.”
“I hoped this period would give us an opportunity but there was the DStv Compact Cup, and there is also the pandemic that is engulfing the whole country.
“So it is better than what it was before and hopefully we can be at full strength soon and Pirates can start playing with their best team, without disrespecting other players that have been playing.”
Playing Usuthu is definitely a daunting task for the Buccaneers, especially in a cup competition, with the KwaZulu-Natal-based side having given Pirates a tough time in their last few games, despite the Soweto giants having better head-to-head stats.
In their last five meetings, Pirates won three games, while the other two fixtures were drawn.
With concerns over fitness of some of the players, Ncikazi will be pinning his hopes on striker Gabadinho Mhango to bring his excellent Africa Cup of Nations performances back to the team ahead of the Ke Yona Cup.
At the tournament held in Cameroon, the striker scored three goals for Malawi, but they were unfortunately knocked out in the last-16.