Ncikazi: South African teams on the rise

by Staff Reporter

Monday Feb 28, 2022. 14:03

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi acknowledges it is a positive sign for South African football to see Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu doing well in the CAF Champions League.

The Brazilians beat defending champions Al Ahly 1-0 in Egypt on Saturday to sit at the top of Group A, while Usuthu occupy second place in Group B after winning two of their opening three games.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers lead Group B in the  CAF Confederation Cup following a 6-2 hammering of Royal Leopards in Mbombela on Sunday.

Ncikazi expressed his hope that Sundowns and AmaZulu can go all the way to the final, with his team making it an all-South African affair by winning the Confederation Cup for the first time.

“For me, I look at the South African game. I don’t look at individual teams,” he told the press on Sunday. “AmaZulu doing well, Sundowns doing well, history being made them winning in Egypt against Al Ahly.

“It’s just a rise of South African teams and if that’s the direction that we’re taking, even going to the national team, it’s just positive for the country.

“I just hope all the teams that are still part of the competition can go further as high as they can. it will be nice to a final between Sundowns and AmaZulu, why not? And then Pirates win the other trophy.”

Next up for Bucs in the competition is the return leg against Ingwe Mabalabala at the Orlando Stadium on March 13.