Orlando Pirates confirm Mandla Ncikazi departure for Premier Soccer League head coach role

Orlando Pirates have confirmed that assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi will leave the club to become a head coach in the Premier Soccer League.

Ncikazi had not been present on the Pirates bench in recent matches after undergoing knee surgery. His departure was announced only a few hours after head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou rejected reports of a disagreement between the pair.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ouaddou dismissed suggestions that there had been a fallout with Ncikazi. Pirates subsequently confirmed that Ncikazi had asked to pursue an opportunity to return to a head coach position.

The official statement did not name his next club, although he is understood to be taking charge of Golden Arrows.

“Orlando Pirates Football Club confirms that Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi will be leaving the Club to take up the Head Coach position at a team in the Premier Soccer League,” the club said.

“The move follows discussions with management this morning in which Mr Ncikazi expressed his wish to pursue the opportunity to lead a team again. The Club has given him its blessing to do so.

“Mr Ncikazi departs with 9 trophies earned as part of the Pirates technical team, where he served predominantly as Assistant Coach, including a brief spell as co-coach in 2025. Throughout this period he represented the Club with distinction.”

Ncikazi leaves after contributing to nine trophies during his time as part of the Pirates technical team. He worked primarily as an assistant coach but also had a short spell as co-coach in 2025.

Pirates said he had represented the club with distinction throughout his tenure.