Mandla Ncikazi unfazed by his Orlando Pirates future despite struggling after Jose Riveiro's exit - 'I am a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture'

Orlando Pirates came back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu in a Premier Soccer League match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

It was their second draw under interim coach Mandla Ncikazi, who stepped in following the departure of Jose Riveiro, and they have just won once without the Soaniard.

As the Soweto giants are searching for a new coach, Ncikazi talks about his future at the club.

“I’m just proud of the contribution that I’m making at the club and being appreciated by the club," said Ncikazi as per FARPost. 

"And as long as it’s still like that, I’ll always be the servant of this club until I’m told otherwise.

“I’m a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture, and how I’m wired, this has nothing to do with me, it’s a mission.

“When you are at Pirates, you are sent. You must fulfil the mission. But growth in the club depends on how you look at it. I look at the positive side of life," added the former Golden Arrows coach. 

“The growth that has been mentioned, the narrowing of the gap [between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns], the records that have been broken, the youngsters that have been introduced, those are positives. 

“Yes, we fell short on some objectives that we wanted, and one can only learn from that and improve going into the next season.”

Riveiro's exit might have exposed Ncikazi's capabilities as a coach as he struggles to steer the Buccaneers ship.

But he appeared to have been best suited as an assistant coach to Riveiro, aiding the Spaniard to winning five Cup finals.

It is to be seen if the incoming Pirates coach will include Ncikazi in his backroom staff.

Pirates are left with one PSL match before they conclude their 2024/25 season and they host Magesi FC on Wednesday.

Ncikazi goes into that match keen to end the campaign on a high as Pirates continue with their search for a new coach.