Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the departure of assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, bringing an end to days of speculation surrounding his future.
Ncikazi has left the Soweto giants to take up a head coaching position at another Betway Premiership club, with Golden Arrows subsequently confirming his appointment.
The move represents a return to the top job for the experienced coach, who has spent the recent years working as part of the Pirates technical team.
Ncikazi gets Pirates’ blessing
Pirates confirmed that Ncikazi met with the club’s senior leadership on Thursday, where he expressed his desire to pursue an opportunity that would allow him to lead a team again.
The club opted to support his decision and gave the experienced coach its blessing to take the next step in his career.
“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us,” chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said.
Khoza added that the club respected Ncikazi’s desire to take on a new challenge and wished him success in his new role.
Ncikazi’s departure brings the curtain down on a successful period at Pirates, where he was part of a technical setup that enjoyed considerable silverware success.
From Pirates assistant to Golden Arrows boss
Ncikazi’s move to Golden Arrows represents a return to the head coach’s seat.
The coach originally joined Pirates as part of a co-coaching partnership with Fadlu Davids before subsequently working as an assistant under Jose Riveiro and, most recently, Abdeslam Ouaddou.
His experience at several levels of the professional game now gives him an opportunity to take charge of a PSL club once again.
Ncikazi began his playing career with African Wanderers before representing AmaZulu and Maritzburg United. Following his retirement from playing, he moved into coaching and eventually established himself as one of the experienced technical figures in South African football.
Who replaces Ncikazi at Pirates?
The immediate focus for Orlando Pirates remains their CAF Champions League campaign.
The Buccaneers are preparing to face Namibia’s African Stars, with Ouaddou set to be assisted by Rayaan Jacobs following Ncikazi’s departure.
The club has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Ncikazi.
His exit leaves Pirates with a vacancy in their technical team, while his appointment at Golden Arrows gives him another opportunity to prove himself as a head coach in the Betway Premiership.
Was this the right move for Mandla Ncikazi and Orlando Pirates?
