Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has addressed speculation surrounding his departure from the Buccaneers, but he is keeping the details of his exit private.
Mandla Ncikazi has broken his silence following reports of a possible breakdown in his working relationship with Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Ncikazi left the Soweto giants last month to join Golden Arrows, ending a five-year spell at Pirates. His departure sparked speculation about tensions behind the scenes, with reports suggesting that his relationship with Ouaddou may have played a role.
However, the experienced coach has made it clear that he has no intention of discussing private matters involving his former club.
Speaking to the media after Golden Arrows’ match against Mamelodi Sundowns, Ncikazi explained why he believes coaches should avoid speaking negatively about former employers.
Ncikazi refuses to discuss Pirates rumours
Rather than confirming or denying claims of a disagreement with Ouaddou, Ncikazi focused on professional responsibility and the importance of protecting the clubs he has worked for.
“Let me answer him. Guys, for the future, as a principle, and as a man of my age, you don’t talk ill of your former employer because you will offend them. Equally the same, when I speak about my former employer, I’m offending my current employer,” he told the media.
His response suggests that he wants to avoid creating unnecessary controversy at either Orlando Pirates or Golden Arrows.
‘Every house has a toilet’
Ncikazi went on to use a memorable analogy to explain why internal challenges should remain private.
“Every house has a toilet. As a man, you don’t have to tell everyone that you have challenges in your family. Even if there was a problem, you will never know. I’m a man, I’ve got a responsibility to protect the environment I work in, irrespective of the environment,” he said.
The coach added that he had encountered challenges at different clubs throughout his career, but did not believe it was his responsibility to make those issues public.
“In every club I’ve worked for, there were issues, but I don’t have the responsibility to publicly tell. As a coach, you’re the CEO of the company, so protect that environment. I have no comment,” he concluded.
Why did Ncikazi leave Orlando Pirates?
Ncikazi’s comments have done little to settle speculation about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The former assistant coach spent five years at Pirates and was part of a technical team that reportedly won eight trophies during his time with the club.
His move to Golden Arrows marked the end of a significant chapter in his coaching career. Yet, despite the rumours linking his exit to possible tensions with Ouaddou, Ncikazi has not identified any disagreement as the reason for leaving.
Instead, he has chosen to protect the confidentiality of his previous working environment while focusing on his new role.
For now, the exact reasons behind his departure remain unclear.
Was there a disagreement between Ncikazi and Ouaddou, or has the coach simply decided to keep his reasons for leaving private? What do you make of his response? Share your views.
