Ncikazi hopes to do SA proud
ORLANDO Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi was on cloud nine after steering the Sea Robbers into the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, but amid the euphoria he gave a candid review of their season across all competitions so far.
“If you see our team, it’s not the same team that started the season. There’s progress and there are some players that are coming back from injuries. We are improving in certain areas. I don’t think we’ve seen Pirates this direct,” he explained.
Pirates progressed to the next round of the African showpiece after they beat Simba 4-3 on penalties in the last eight. The game ended 1-1 on aggregate after Kwame Peprah levelled the tie after Simba had won the first leg 1-0 at home.
The Confederation Cup is not only the Buccaneers’ shot at redemption, but the country’s as well. They are the only PSL side remaining in a pan-African competition after Mamelodi Sundowns crashed out of the Champions League last eight on Saturday.
“When you come to Pirates, you are already under pressure. I am an optimist. I see this as a good representation for our country. We are the only team that is surviving. Pirates must take the responsibility of representing our country,” he said.
This is not uncharted waters for the Sea Robbers. They have sailed the length and breath of Africa before and have the 1995 Champions League crown to show for it (they also played in the 2013 final) and made the 2015 Confederation Cup final.
“We've been in African championships before. Roger de Sa and Eric Tinkler went to the finals in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The team won the title in 1995,” Ncikazi said. “I don’t think there is anything new about reaching the final.
“It also helps us that some of the players (like club captain Happy Jele) have also been part of that history. So, that experience helps. But we are in the competition to win it. We are not in the competition to make (up the) numbers. History backs us.”
In their bid to reach the final, Pirates will first have to beat Libyans Al Ahli in the twolegged semi-final. A feat that Ncikazi knows won't be easy, given the fact that they have struggled on artificial turf in the group stage against Al Ittihad.
Ncikazi’s ambition, however, is beyond the Confederation Cup as he revealed that he wants the team “to compete in the main stream (the Champions League)”.
However, that is easier said than done as the Bucs will have to finish second in the DStv Premiership.
They cannot bank on qualification for the showpiece event by winning the second tier Confederation Cup.
Pirates are fifth in the league standings with 39 points, six behind the secondplaced Royal AM. However, should they beat struggling Chippa United at Orlando Stadium tomorrow, they’ll trim the gap to three points ahead of their last four matches.
“In the PSL, I think we'll also improve but you have to be mindful of the fact that most of our players are coming from injuries. But we need to fight. There is still a chance to finish second. We are still going to play Royal AM,” Ncikazi said.
“Other teams (like Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs) are still going to play each other. Let it be.
“Let’s try to go as far as we can in the league. But for now, allow us to celebrate that we are in the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup,” he concluded.