'Mandla is very capable!' Orlando Pirates told to overlook Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokwena & replace Jose Riveiro with Ncikazi as permanent head coach

Former Moroka Swallows head coach Brandon Truter has told Orlando Pirates to overlook Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokwena and appoint another local coach to steer the Premier Soccer League side.

Specifically, Truter said Mandla Ncikazi, who was Jose Riveiro's assistant and took charge on an interim basis when the Spaniard left, is capable of delivering as a head coach.

"I think Mandla (Ncikazi) is very capable; he's been with Jose since he arrived. He's very capable of coaching Pirates, with the right structures around him, with the belief and support from management," Truter said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma. 

"I think there are other capable local coaches as well. Pitso (Mosimane) and Rhulani (Mokwena) are not attached yet. There are local qualifying coaches up to standard who can coach the bigger teams in the country.

"Rhulani took Sundowns to another level after Pitso. He changed their playing style completely. He formed the philosophy and identity with the club we're still speaking of today," Truter reasoned.

"Because Pitso's football and Rhulani's football are not the same. So there are some good local coaches that should be given some time and trusted with the bigger jobs as well," the former Sekhukhune United mentor added.

Mokwena has been heavily linked with a return to Pirates, as reports put him as the prime candidate to take over.

Mosimane has also been tipped as another candidate to steer the Soweto giants, who are looking to replace Jose Riveiro, who left after three seasons in charge.

For continuity and stability, some pundits, including Truter, have stated that Ncikazi is the right candidate for that purpose.

Although their current focus is on the pre-season programmes that involve high-profile matches against Bolton Wanderers and Pafos FC, behind the scenes, they are sorting out how to fill the vacant head coach position.

Apart from the transfer activities, Bucs fans are keenly following who will eventually be appointed to steer the club.