Mandla Ncikazi on Orlando Pirates job: When I got into this club, I became a servant

Mandla Ncikazi has devoted himself to being a servant of Orlando Pirates – hence, he’ll serve wherever he’s deployed by the management next season.

Ncikazi served as the interim coach of Pirates in the last four matches, following the early departure of coach Jose Riveiro.

He did fairly well in the capacity, guiding Pirates to 61 points – their best finish since the 2002/23 title-winning season after one win and three draws.

As such, he has all but involuntarily thrown his name in the basket of coaches who may be considered to succeed Riveiro, having shown continuity.

Ncikazi, despite serving as a co-coach and then assistant at Pirates, is no stranger to the head-coach role, having held the position at Golden Arrows prior to joining the Buccaneers.

However, the 56-year-old – who’s in his fourth season at the club – says the management will make the decision on his future as he’s just ready to do his part.

“I’ve learnt so much in this club,” said Ncikazi, who was speaking after Pirates drew 1-1 with Magesi FC in their season finale at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.

“You don’t only learn as a coach, you also learn as a human being – they teach you to be a better man and a better human being.”

“That augurs well for me because I’m not the type who is looking for opportunities. When I got into this club, I became a servant. I want to serve this club. 

“Remember, when you are appointed here, you must put your aspiration in the right place (and act as required).

“You are here to serve and if you are serving, you are not the one who determines which direction you go with the mission.

“I’m here, and I will go where I’ve been sent to go and preach the gospel. And it’s not on me: it is the appointer who will take a decision.”

It’s not only Ncikazi that has served with aplomb under Riveiro, but outgoing captain Innocent Maela as well.

Maela led Pirates to five trophies – MTN8s and two Nedbank Cups – and three successive runners-up finishes in the Premiership as they qualified for the CAF Champions League.

He wasn’t a regular in the starting line up in the last two seasons, with Riveiro preferring Deon Hotto, who’s naturally a left-winger, over him at left back.

But the 32-year-old hardly sulked and moaned around, be it for late cameos or media duties as he showed up and spoke from the heart.

His loyalty and service to the club seems as though it will be rewarded, as there are reports that he’ll retire at the end of the season and work behind the scenes.

“He is a product of this institution,” said Ncikazi, before going down memory on the time he first saw Maela.

“I remember the first time I met him, he was playing for Thanda Royal Zulu and I was still in KwaZulu-Natal, and I saw this fast winger that I wanted to poach.

“But I was told he belongs to a big institution, so then you know what should happen. He’s a great human being.

“Sometimes, we look at players and forget they are society members.

“It becomes very good when you have a good human being, and a good player. It’s moments like that which make you continue being a leader, even if you are not on the pitch.

“He’s highly intelligent. I’m sure he is educated at home and in the institutions of learning. It is a blessing, and I’m sure his career is going to continue.

“It is not the end. He is taking another direction in his career, based on his humanity and his academic learning.”