Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed that even if he had wishes to strengthen in this period, it is not up to them but rather up to the powers that be at Pirates to make those type of decisions.
Durban – Orlando Pirates co-coach, Mandla Ncikazi has shone the spotlight on their transfer policy after a relatively quiet period in the January transfer window in which no player was linked to the club.
The Buccaneers are 14 points behind runaway leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on the DStv Premiership log; however, the club have stood their ground and haven’t felt forced to draw away from their current club transfer policy.
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The Soweto giants aren’t known to be a club that conducts hasty and emergency business in the middle of the season and Ncikazi has revealed that even if he had wishes to strengthen in this period, it is not up to them (the coaches) but rather up to the powers that be at Pirates to make those type of decisions.
“As much as I would have loved to sign players in this window, we respect the people that handle that aspect of operations in the club, therefore we have to be in line with the vision and processes at the club.”
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“We as coaches are always ambitious and looking to improve our teams. If we had the resources like other teams, maybe we would even try to bring Lionel Messi to Pirates. We never have a perfect team therefore we can always bring people on board. But the timing of bringing players to our club is very important,” he explained.
Ncikazi will hope the return to fitness of star men Thembinkosi Lorch and Gabadinho Mhango will inject a new lease of life into his attack as they look to secure a place in next season’s CAF Champions League and win the Nedbank Cup all while attempting to claim their first ever CAF Confederations Cup trophy.
“The club is looking towards a direction of continuity. We would rather welcome back a player that has been in the system for a while, a player that already understands what’s expected of them and has already acclimatised to the way we do things at Pirates,” he said.
“It is impossible for any team to catch up on the 14 point gap Sundowns have at the moment, if it does happen, it would be because Sundowns have given it away.”
“Pirates have won one trophy (The 2020 MTN8) in the past eight years. The pressure is on us the coaches and players to win something. The Orlando Pirates brand is a huge brand therefore our performances and success has to emulate that brand.”
