BREAKING: Orlando Pirates confirm Mandla Ncikazi exit

Bucs confirm Ncikazi departure

Africa Today at 09:49

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BREAKING: Orlando Pirates confirm Mandla Ncikazi exit

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackPagePix

Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates have announced the departure of assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, who is set to take over at another Premier Soccer League (PSL) club.

The KwaZulu-Natal-born mentor joined the Buccaneers June 2021, and served as second in command to then-head coach Jose Riveiro and current boss Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Ncikazi and Ouaddou had an internal rift, with the Moroccan tactician said to have threatened to quit if the former Golden Arrows coach continues to be part of his technical team.

While Pirates previously attributed Ncikazi's recent absence in the dugout to a knee surgery, the club has now revealed the coach asked to be relieved of his duties to spearhead a project at another PSL team.

“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,” read the club statement.

"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.

"Club Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza thanked Ncikazi and acknowledged his ambition to return to head coaching.

“'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,' said Dr Khoza."

"For Ncikazi, the departure is also an opportunity to acknowledge the people with whom he shared his time at Pirates.

Ncikazi has been linked to the head coach role at his former club Arrows amid growing pressure on Pitso Dladla, who took over the reins from Manqoba Mngqithi at the beginning of the season.

This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create review content, see our Editorial Policy .

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.