Ncikazi refuses to discuss reported breakdown with Ouaddou

Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has declined to comment publicly on reports of a dispute with former colleague and Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Ncikazi was asked about the pair’s relationship after Golden Arrows’ 1-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup on Thursday night, but he maintained the measured position he has taken since the claims emerged.

Reports suggested the former Orlando Pirates assistant coach had fallen out with Ouaddou, and that the former Morocco captain had allegedly told the club’s management he no longer wanted to work with Ncikazi.

However, when Orlando Pirates announced Ouaddou’s departure, the club cited his wish to return to a head-coaching role. Ncikazi said he would not challenge that explanation or discuss any private difficulties from his time at the club.

“You don’t talk ill about your former employer because you may offend them, and when I start to talk about my former employer then I can also offend my current employer,” he said.

“If you are a man you don’t tell everybody about your challenges and I have a responsibility to protect my working environment. There have been issues at every club I’ve worked for, but I don’t have the responsibility to reveal that publicly.”

The defeat was Golden Arrows’ second in two matches with Ncikazi in the dugout. Both losses came against sides currently in the top three, although the margins in each game were narrow.

Ncikazi was also asked about the latest international call-up of Zimbabwean midfielder Jonah Fabisch. The player, who joined in August, is yet to make his debut for Abafana Bafana.

Fabisch remains an important member of the Zimbabwean Warriors squad and has been selected for two successive matches against Equatorial Guinea in next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Golden Arrows coach also addressed his team’s attacking approach against Mamelodi Sundowns. His side began to threaten more often after conceding to Iqraam Rayner midway through the second half, but Ncikazi said his players had to be selective in how they attacked.

“You have to box smart when you’re up against Mamelodi Sundowns and you have to choose the areas carefully where you think you can hurt them,” he said.

“Does your quality always allow you to go 50-50 with them that is the question, but I felt we had half chances to score just like they did.”