Ncikazi: Pirates should be competing at highest level

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Feb 15, 2022. 13:32

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi insists they should be playing CAF Champions League football on a regular basis and need to prove their credentials by performing well in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Buccaneers qualified for Africa’s second-tier club competition by finishing third in the DStv Premiership last season and they beat JS Saoura 2-0 in their Group B opener at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Next up for Pirates is a trip to Libya, where they will take on Al Ittihad this coming weekend, with Royal Leopards of Eswatini waiting in the wings on February 27.

Ncikazi feels it is important for the Soweto giants to be competing at the highest level and has urged his players to go out and show they deserve to grace that stage.

“If we say Pirates are a big team, it must be seen in their performances. It must be seen in competitions where they’re competing,” he was quoted as saying by Sowetan LIVE.

“I think it’s important for the brand to compete at the right stage and the right stage for Pirates, without disrespecting the cup that we’re in, is the Champions League.

“Pirates should be competing in the main one [the Champions League], but having said that, we’re here now and maybe we’ve got to prove by doing well in this cup that we really deserve to be in the Champions League.”