Mandla Ncikazi has opened up about his future at Orlando Pirates, making it clear that his loyalty to the club remains firm—even as the team heads into a new era without head coach Jose Riveiro.
Ncikazi stepped up as interim coach after Riveiro’s unexpected departure before the close of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. While the Buccaneers are actively looking to appoint a new head coach, the future of Ncikazi’s role in the technical team is uncertain.
Despite the speculation, Ncikazi remains humble. “I’m a servant of this club. If they want me, I’ll continue. If not, Pirates will still be in good hands,” he said. The 56-year-old, who has been with the Soweto giants since 2021, still has time left on his contract, which runs through to the end of the 2025/26 season.
Reflecting on the season, Ncikazi praised the team’s overall progress—especially their development of young players and the narrowing gap between Pirates and longtime league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Whether or not he remains part of the technical setup, Ncikazi’s calm and committed approach speaks volumes. For him, it’s about serving the club with integrity, regardless of the title he holds.
