+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Boitumelo Radiopane and Makhehleni Makhaula, Orlando PiratesBackpage
Seth Willis

Orlando Pirates' Mandla Ncikazi lauds club's former ball boy who has made Bafana Bafana squad & questions 'where Bucs got it wrong' - 'We could have won Caf Champions League'

The Buccaneers tactician is convinced his team will deliver next season after coming close in the concluded one.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Pirates had a relatively good season
  • They were close to winning PSL & Caf CL
  • Ncikazi confident of better campaign next season
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • Lehlohonolo Mtshali & Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando Pirates vs Magesi FC, May 2025 Backpagepix

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Orlando Pirates came close to winning major trophies in the 2024-24 season.

    They pushed Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League but fell short owing to failure to have quality depth.

    The Soweto giants then reached the Caf Champions League semi-final, where they fell against Pyramids.

    Following their 1-1 draw with Magesi FC in their final PSL game on Wednesday night, interim coach Mandla Ncikazi shared his analysis.

    • Advertisement
  • Lucas Ribeiro and Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    NO TEAM IS MAKING STRIDES LIKE PIRATES?

    “It would have been good to finish at home with a win, but I still think there’s positives going into the next season,” Ncikazi said in his post-match interview.

    “I thought there were more positives than negatives this season.

    "If you look at our team, the gap, competing in Africa, one moment, semi-final in CAF, we could have been in the final and maybe win it."

  • Simphiwe Selepe, Orlando Pirates, May 2025Backpage

    SELEPE - FROM BEING A BALL BOY TO MAKING BAFANA SQUAD

    Ncikazi couldn't hide his delight, especially with the youngsters who are delivering.

    “Nedbank, we went into the final, I don’t think there’s any team that has introduced so many youngsters in their set-up, for me it’s a big positive, so many players are in the national team.

    “Selepe was a ball boy three months ago, now in the national team, so for me, many positives, I wish we grow from here and become better.”

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Mandla Ncikazi, Orlando Pirates, January 2025Backpagepix

    BUCS WILL BE BETTER NEXT SEASON

    The tactician is convinced the Sea Robbers will deliver more next season.

    “Pirates will improve, I trust the wisdom that’s in the office of ours, we will have to take stock, have to compile the reports.

    “Where did we get it wrong, where can we improve, where he have to reinforce, where do we think we were doing well. After that, I’m sure solutions will come and then we will be a better team next season," Ncikazi concluded.

  • Innocent Maela and Miguel Timm, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    WHAT NEXT?

    Pirates have already started preparations for the new season.

    They have confirmed the exit of Innocent Maela and Miguel Timm ahead of the transfer window.

    The fans are hoping to have a new coach to take over from Jose Riveiro, who left a couple of weeks ago.

0