Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi says that a Champions League place is the club’s focus with runaway DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns unlikely to be caught.
A number of teams are currently in contention for a runners-up spot, with Pirates currently in fourth place on the league standings, just three point behind arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs and a further one point adrift of Royal AM in second.
Stellenbosch and Cape Town City are also within striking distance, along with seventh placed SuperSport, who the club face on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the encounter and reflecting on losses to Kaizer Chiefs in the league and by Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup, Ncikazi said in the Citizen: “We still have the objective of trying to finish second on the log so that we can compete in the CAF Champions League (next season).
Mandla Ncikazi says he understands the frustrations of Orlando Pirates' supporters, who ask for their team to perform better. https://t.co/ukpzpEHA41
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) March 15, 2022
“So, we just control what is in front of us, we cannot change the past, we can learn from it. We just want to go strong on this one if it’s possible, go as high as possible and the highest is winning (the tournament).”
He added on Soccer Laduma: “We want to carry the same winning momentum, it’s important that we get the points in the league.
“We’re not far off from getting our target currently that has been revised but it’s important that we win.
“Tough side SuperSport, but it’s just the important part, score goals Pirates and then win matches.
Fadlu Davis & Mandla Ncikazi it's about time gentlemen!! Please do Orlando Pirates supporters a favour! 😠😠 pic.twitter.com/7GiFPXpfFS
— STAR. (@makwande_m) March 9, 2022
“It was just important that we recover the players into the next match, there’s no training. Physically that you can do, you just have to prepare tactically and just do a walk-through in preparation for the match, but the players look ready.”
