Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi. Photo: @orlandopirates/Twitter

Mandla Ncikazi urges Mzansi to support Bucs in CAF battle – even Kaizer Chiefs fans!

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi hopes Mzansi will get behind the team ahead of their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.

Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi. Photo: @orlandopirates/Twitter

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi says the Soweto giants will be representing the whole of South Africa in the CAF Confederation Cup and hopes Mzansi will get behind the team ahead of their upcoming semi-final.

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The Buccaneers reached the semi-finals after defeating Tanzanian side Simba SC in a penalty shootout over the weekend and will now face Libyan side Al Ahly Tripoli on Sunday, 8 May at 11 June Stadium in Tripoli.

Kick-off time is still to be confirmed.

Orlando Pirates will make SA proud – Mandla Ncikazi

According to The Sowetan, Mandla Ncikazi said the goal at Orlando Pirates was to make South Africa proud and he hoped the public would all become Bucs fans for the two-legged semi-final.

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“I see our progression as a good representation for our country [as] we’re the only [SA}team that’s surviving. Pirates must take the responsibility of representing our country.

“For me, it’s no longer about teams, it’s about us representing the country. I hope all South Africans will be Pirates supporters when we’re playing the next matches,” Mandla Ncikazi said.

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Ncikazi added that Orlando Pirates’ past history playing in Africa gives them the pedigree to get past opponents Al Ahly Tripoli over the two legs.

“Pirates have always been in African championships. Roger de Sa went to the[Champions League] final [and lost to Al Ahly in 2013], Eric Tinkler went to the [Confed Cup] final [and lost to Etoile du Sahel] and the team won the cup (CAF Champions Cup, before the restyling to Champions League] in 1995.

“So, I don’t think there’s anything new. We’re in the competition to win it. We shouldn’t be here to make numbers… with the history, we should do it,” concluded Ncikazi.

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The second leg will take place in Soweto on Sunday, 15 April.