Orlando Pirates players take a team photo before some PSL action. Image: @VodacomSoccer / Twitter
Orlando Pirates: Ncikazi explains Lorch and Ndlovu surprises
Last weekend saw the selection of Thembinkosi Lorch and Siphesihle Ndlovu to change Orlando Pirates’ shape. Mandla Ncikazi has explained why.
Orlando Pirates players take a team photo before some PSL action. Image: @VodacomSoccer / Twitter
Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi, has revealed that Al-Ittihad’s deep defending allowed Thembinkosi Lorch and Siphesihle Ndlovu rare opportunities to play.
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LORCH AND NDLOVU USED FOR TIGHT DEFENCES
Chatting to the media after Bucs were held to a dry 0-0 result, Ncikazi said Lorch and Ndlovu earned long-awaited calls to use their skills to play in tight spaces.
“We have to find solutions (on) how do you deal with low blocks. We do win some matches, but it changes. Sometimes the block is on position two but today it was on position one,” Ncikazi told Orlando Pirates’ media.
“So, you don’t have the space behind because the centre-backs are too close to the goalkeeper. Sometimes they stretch the line with six, so it closes the outside channels.
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“Then you have to be creative in front which is why maybe we tried to bring number 10s, a Lorch coming in (and) Ndlovu coming in because we wanted to play combinations in front of the defence,” he added.
NCIKAZI CONFIRMS MASSIVE ORLANDO PIRATES EXPECTATIONS
The Buccaneers now have seven more PSL games remaining, and to Ncikazi’s eyes and the most passionately demanding fans, all of them should be wins.
The club has yet to lift a trophy to the sky and pop champagne this season, but there is still a special opportunity: The CAF Confederation Cup where Pirates face Tanzania’s Simba SC in the quarter-finals.
Additionally, another available prize is finishing second in the DStv Premiership to secure a place in the CAF Champions League next season.
“The remaining seven matches should be cup finals for us,” Ncikazi said. Read the full story here.
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