Durban City captain Ncanana clarifies ‘Pirates is just a name’ comment

Durban City captain Siphamandla Ncanana says his remark that “Pirates is just a name” was not intended as a lack of respect for Orlando Pirates or the club’s history.

Ncanana made the comment after Durban City’s goalless draw with Orlando Pirates in their penultimate league match of last season at Orlando in May. His words prompted criticism from Pirates supporters, known as the Ghost, who believed the statement diminished the club’s considerable record and standing in South African football.

The two sides will meet again on Saturday, when Durban City travel to Soweto for an MTN8 quarter-final against the Soweto giants at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Ncanana is anticipating the return to Johannesburg and could come face-to-face with the supporters who reacted angrily to his earlier remarks. Speaking at the MTN8 launch in Randburg on Wednesday evening, the Durban City captain said his comments had been misunderstood.

“I think maybe they misinterpreted my statement. It was not that I was disrespectful or have something against Pirates,” said Ncanana.

He stressed that he recognised the stature of Orlando Pirates, but argued that the club’s reputation should not alter the nature of a match once play begins.

“We all know Pirates is a big team in South Africa, in South African football. What I can say is that once the referee blows the whistle, it is 11 v 11. It’s not about Pirates.”

Ncanana added that his intention had been to underline the need for Durban City to compete strongly, rather than to dismiss the opposition.

“I was not disrespectful, I was just saying we need to be strong (against Pirates),” he added.

The MTN8 tie will also give Durban City an opportunity to respond after a difficult start to their Betway Premiership campaign.

The Citizens opened their league season with a 1-0 defeat by Sekhukhune United in Limpopo last weekend and will be looking to return to winning ways against Orlando Pirates.

Their immediate focus, however, will be on the cup meeting in Soweto, where Ncanana’s explanation will be tested on the pitch against a club whose history and success he has now publicly acknowledged.

The match follows the controversy surrounding the May draw, when his “Pirates is just a name” comment became the focus of attention after the final whistle. With the two teams now facing one another in a knockout competition, Ncanana has made clear that he believes the phrase was taken out of context and was intended only to describe the competitive demands of playing Pirates.