Orlando Pirates confirm Mandla Ncikazi departure after Golden Arrows opportunity emerges

Orlando Pirates have confirmed assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has left the club to return to the Golden Arrows head coaching role, just hours after Abdeslam Ouaddou rejected suggestions of a rift between the pair.

Ncikazi’s departure was announced on Thursday after he held discussions with Pirates management earlier in the day. During those talks, he told the club he wanted to resume leading a team.

Pirates granted him permission to take up the opportunity, ending a spell in which Ncikazi was part of the technical team that helped the Buccaneers win nine trophies.

He worked mainly as an assistant coach during his time at the Soweto club, although he briefly served as co-coach in 2025.

The timing of his exit followed questions about reports of tension between Ncikazi and Ouaddou. The Moroccan head coach had addressed the speculation earlier on Thursday, pointing to a previous club statement which said Ncikazi had undergone surgery and was recovering.

“The club issued a statement about that, he had surgery, so now he’s recovering, I wish him all the best, that’s all I can say,” Ouaddou said.

Ouaddou also criticised the reports, saying the atmosphere within the club remained positive.

“We read many things about that, everything is okay in our club, the environment is okay, so people must not start to create any problems. There is surgery and I wish him the best, not to create problems. I read many things.”

He then referred to a recent affectionate moment between the two coaches while dismissing claims their relationship had broken down.

“Someone who is kissing someone on his head, you cannot start to invent any stories.”

Pirates’ announcement did not connect Ncikazi’s departure with the reports about the coaching staff. Instead, the club said he had expressed a desire to take charge of a team again.

Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza thanked Ncikazi for his contribution and offered him the club’s support as he took on his next responsibility.

“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us. We respect his wish to pursue this new opportunity and wish him success as he takes on a new responsibility,” Khoza said.

Pirates have not yet announced who will replace Ncikazi on the technical team. The club also did not provide further details beyond confirming his move to the Golden Arrows head coaching position.

His departure brings to an end a successful period with Orlando Pirates and gives him the opportunity to return to a head coach’s role.