Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza bids farewell to Mandla Ncikazi

Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has thanked Mandla Ncikazi and given the departing assistant coach his blessing after the club confirmed his exit.

Ncikazi leaves Pirates after joining in June 2021, having held a number of coaching positions during his time at the club. He shared co-coaching duties with Fadlu Davids in the 2021/22 season, when Pirates reached the CAF Confederation Cup final before losing to RS Berkane on penalties.

Davids subsequently departed, but Ncikazi remained at Orlando Pirates and later served as an assistant to Jose Riveiro and Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Speculation had recently suggested there was a disagreement between Ncikazi and Ouaddou. However, the head coach rejected those claims earlier on Thursday.

Pirates have now confirmed that Ncikazi asked to leave in order “to pursue a head coach role with another PSL club”. He is set to return to Golden Arrows, also known as Abafana Bes’thende.

Khoza praised Ncikazi’s service to the club and said his contribution had been recognised throughout his time at Mayfair.

“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing,” Khoza told the Pirates’ media team.

“His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us. We respect his wish.”

Ncikazi’s spell with Pirates included a period of considerable success, with the club winning four successive MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cups, the Carling Knockout, the Carling Black Label Cup and the Betway Premiership title.