Mokwena – How Will Bucs Stars React To Ncikazi’s ‘Woolies’ Comments?

Rulani Mokwena has questioned how Orlando Pirates players will react to Mandla Ncikazi’s ‘Woolworths’ comparison.

Ncikazi had claimed the Buccaneers are lagging behind Sundowns due to the depth the champions have within their squad – something he feels they were exposed for lacking amid a long list of injuries during the 2021/22 campaign thus far.

He stated the main difference between Pirates and the newly crowned Dstv Premiership champions is Masandawana can buy ready-made players from Woolworths, while the Buccaneers are forced into shopping at Pick n Pay or Spar.

Mokwena had already dismissed the talk, saying Ncikazi had stated at one point in the season the Sea Robbers are on the same level with Downs only to flip flop now and make his most recent comments.

When asked again his counterpart’s statements, Mokwena didn’t want to go too deep into the topic but questioned how Ncikazi’s remarks will affect his own players.

“I don’t want to talk about the Wollies comments, I don’t want to talk about that because if I speak… Let’s just leave it there,” he told reporters.

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“For me, the biggest thing is what does it say to his own players? And I know the Pirates players because I worked with them, and I don’t want to say much about it.

“I don’t want to go into that space. It’s a difficult comment to make and maybe he’s got his own logic why he made that comment and maybe it’s for the media to interrogate that statement.

“You guys must interrogate that statement – ask him what does he mean by that! 

“Because, to be honest, if you’re a Pirates player and you hear something like that I’m not sure how [you’ll react]. 

“And I know those boys well and how sensitive they are, so I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about it and maybe it’s for coach Mandla to expedite the statement a bit more.”

Sundowns will shift their focus on another Soweto giant on Sunday when they will face Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium, while Pirates will meet Al Ahli Tripoli in their CAF Confederations Cup semi-final first leg.

Rulani On Ncikazi’s Woolworths Analogy