THE FUSE

By Dylan Bettencourt

Orlando Pirates will now play against Kaizer Chiefs in a massive football match at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 26 April.

Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 when the two famous soccer clubs last played in February.

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi said his team is ready for anything Kaizer Chiefs will throw at them in the upcoming Soweto Derby.

The two famous soccer clubs will play a Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 26 April.

Pirates beat Chiefs by three goals to zero in the last game between the two teams on 28 February.

Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa scored the goals to give Pirates a big win.

Speaking to journalists at Rand Stadium on Tuesday, 21 April, Ncikazi said a revenge plan from Chiefs would be a mistake.

“If they come with a revenge mentality, that will work better for us. In our team, we prepare for all scenarios and any type of approach, we will be ready,” he said.

Pirates are sitting at the top of the log. They are two points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns.

But Sundowns have played two fewer games. They can take the number one spot back if they beat Stellenbosch on Wednesday, 22 April.

Chiefs are in third place. They are 12 points behind Pirates and 10 points behind Sundowns, but they have played one game less than Pirates.

Ncikazi has been an assistant coach at Pirates for five years. He said his love for helping young players grow keeps him motivated.

“I am here as a servant, I enjoy the fact that I serve the club,” he said.

He said he arrives at work at 10 past six every morning without fail to watch young players improve.

The coach said he is proud of how the team has changed over the years.

“We used to have no players in the national team, to see a galaxy of players in all national teams excites me,” he said.

Pictured above: Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi.

Image source: Vodacom Soccer