On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Mandla Ncikazi took charge of Orlando Pirates as interim head coach following the departure of José Riveiro. His first test came against TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw. While it wasn’t the ideal start, the result raises important questions about what Ncikazi has absorbed during his three years working alongside Riveiro.
Orlando Pirates began the match with confidence and sharp execution. Bandile Shandu gave the hosts the lead midway through the second half, capitalizing on sustained pressure. But just as victory seemed assured, Mpho Mvelase struck in stoppage time to level the score for TS Galaxy, denying Pirates a winning start in their first outing since Riveiro’s exit.
Ncikazi, who has worked alongside José Riveiro since 2022, was expected to continue the team’s established playing style. However, he has admitted that their coaching approaches differ significantly—highlighting a possible shift in tactical philosophy under his leadership.
As Orlando Pirates prepare for their upcoming clashes, including a key fixture against SuperSport United, Ncikazi faces the challenge of instilling resilience and tactical discipline in the squad. The draw with TS Galaxy offered an early measure of his leadership—and a glimpse into how much tactical insight he’s carried over from his time under Riveiro.
The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in showing whether Ncikazi can turn his experience into tangible results—and whether he has truly absorbed the tactical nuances passed down by his predecessor. However many Orlando Pirates Support question his ability to lead the Club. They reference that the club once lost 2-0 under Ncikazi while Riviero was Suspended.
