Ncikazi Set For Pirates Return After Injury Absence
Mandla Ncikazi during the 2026 MTN8 semifinal first leg match between Sekhukhune United and Orlando Pirates. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates are expected to have assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi back with the team after the current FIFA international break, according to sources.
Ncikazi has been absent from head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s technical team for the past few weeks, missing several important matches in the process.
The former Bafana Bafana assistant coach’s absence has been related to a knee injury, having undergone surgery during pre-season.
The procedure has required Ncikazi to spend time away from the team as he continues his recovery, with the coach using crutches during the rehabilitation period.
Pirates granted Ncikazi time away from his duties around last month, allowing him to return home to KwaZulu-Natal to continue his recovery and receive further medical attention.
In a statement published on the club’s official website on August 25, Pirates confirmed Ncikazi’s absence from the bench and provided an update on his condition.
“Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi will also be absent from the bench tonight. Having undergone [an] emergency knee surgery during pre-season, Coach Ncikazi has continued to experience discomfort following the procedure.
“The Club has granted him a short period away from his duties to return to KwaZulu-Natal, where he will receive further medical attention and focus on his recovery.”
With the international break providing some additional time for Ncikazi to recover, sources have indicated that he is expected to return to his duties ahead of Pirates’ next major assignment.
Should his recovery progress as anticipated, Ncikazi is expected to be back alongside Ouaddou on the bench when Pirates face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on October 10.
In his absence, Ouaddou has had second assistant Rayaan Jacobs and renowned development coach Mxolisi Mngomezulu among those providing support to the head coach and the rest of the technical team.
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