Ncikazi Pleased As Pirates Head To CAFCC Last Eight

While Orlando Pirates co coach Mandla Ncikazi says they would have liked to have won Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup match against Al Ittihad, he says he is proud of the team for qualifying top of Group B.

Pirates drew 0-0 with Al Ittihad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday night, in a frustrating game where the visitors played for a draw, that would also ensure their qualification for the quarter-finals.

Ncikazi says that they played to win the game, but were frustrated by their Libyan opponents. However the Pirates mentor is proud of his team’s run in the CAFCC so far.

“We would have loved to win the match,” Ncikazi said in the post match press conference.

“But we achieved the bigger goal of qualifying on top of the group. That was our main objective.

“We also had at some point to think about the next match. But I think we achieved more in today’s match, in terms of one, qualifying for the quarter-finals on top of your group, and then look at the picture of the next match in trying to rest maybe a few players in preparation for that match.

“So one I’m happy for the team, happy for the players, for the effort against a low block sitting deep. You could say that the opponents were just playing for a draw, delaying tactics. But I thought we dominated, took charge, wanted to win the match. It is what it is. But I’m still proud of the team for the achievement.”

Ncikazi singled out Kabelo Dlamini, and also said he was pleased with his defence and for some of the substitutes who came on in the second half.

“I was happy for Dlamini, he had a situation, an unfortunate situation that I cannot disclose much, but for him to play the way he played,” he continued

“I’m happy with our defence, how they applied themselves. I thought were very solid.

“I was happy with (Thembinkosi) Lorch coming in, contributing, (Siphesihle) Ndlovu hasn’t played for a long time. For him getting an opportunity. Gaba Mhango, I was happy that he got an opportunity to play today.

“So one, you having a pool, you’re increasing a pool of choices going into the next matches of the PSL.

“That’s important for Pirates because the remaining seven matches should be cup finals for us. While we have CAF we still have to concentrate on the PSL and try and get the second spot if it’s possible.”