According to the Orlando Pirates’ coach, South Africa’s top league, the DStv Premiership, may be a greater competition than Africa’s main international tournament!
Ncikazi surprisingly belittled the AFCON tournament while explaining why Malawian star Gabadinho Mhango was not in the Buccaneers team during their 1-0 win over AmaZulu over the weekend, and fans have reacted angrily.
Orlando Pirates fans lash at out at head coach!
“At this point, I’d even settle for Gavin Hunt. Mandla Ncikazi IS NOT OUR THING. Mandla Ncikazi is not a Pirate. Eric Tinkler was brave, Roger was brave, even Kjell Jonevret faught. The bald coward must go!!!!!!” Ta Shane tweeted.
“Lol, this is shocking! But then again, I’ve been asking what Ncikazi is doing at Orlando Pirates. Mediocrity on display.” – Miss Palulu said on Twitter.
“Clear for sometime now that in SA and unfortunately most at my favourite team Orlando Pirates give systematic preferancial treatment to local players at the expense of foreign players. It happened with Joseph kamwendo, chiukepo Msowoya and now it’s true of Gabadinho Mhango.” law_cee said on Twitter.
Ncikazi makes shocking AFCON claim
“Maybe the choice, with respect, the choice at Pirates was to select players who have been preparing for the past weeks whereas Mhango just came back,” Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi explained regarding the absence of Gabadinho Mhango.
“We know he is a good player so it’s not because anything is wrong with him, it’s just competition. Currently, we chose to go with Kwame Peprah and Zakhele Lepasa.
“He will get his opportunity in due course at Orlando Pirates, he just has to work hard like other players. Mabasa was not part of the team, he couldn’t make the 20 despite being a top player, being a player who is part of the national team.
“So, Mhango will wait like all other players. We recognise and acknowledge his performance at the AFCON but maybe the league in South Africa is bigger than the AFCON. That is a question for another day.”
Gabadinho Mhango was indeed in red-hot form at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon for his side Malawi.
The Orlando Pirates striker scored arguably the goal of the tournament against Morocco in the last 16, a long range thunderbolt that nestled into the top corner!
His side unfortunately bowed out during the last 16 phase however his three goals left many impressed with Malawi’s all round performance in Cameroon, do you believe Mandla Ncikazi was justified in his utterances? Let us know below.