Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has praised goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla after he kept a clean sheet on his senior debut for the club on his birthday.
Ncikazi handed Dladla his first-team debut in Pirates’ 1-0 win over SuperSport United in the big league at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.
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Dladla has become the latest Bucs youngster, although he is already 24, to make his debut, following the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Cemran Dansin who have all been promoted and debuted over the last two years.
“These human beings are amazing, no complains, they dig in every day, they are there every day,” Ncikazi said on SuperSport TV.
“One can only be proud that this group of players are willing to add their names to the history of the club.
“I’m just happy for the young boys that are getting the opportunity, they’re using it correctly. Another one today, the goalkeeper – I thought you couldn’t tell that it was a young boy in the sticks.
“Proud for the history of his club. It’s amazing, yesterday we didn’t know it was his birthday, maybe on my side,” he added in the post-match presser.
“For us to make a selection, it was not planned, it just happened. Happy birthday to him with three points.”
Ncikazi adds that though management and coaches should be credited for their role, the youngsters also deserve a pat on their backs for maximizing the opportunity.
“It’s amazing how these youngsters are adapting,” said Ncikazi in his post-match presser.
“But again, credit must be given to the process of the club. Credit must be given to the process of our junior coaches to the senior coach who has left. It starts a long process and a contribution of a lot of people.”
Pirates, who set a new club record for most wins during a PSL campaign with 19, still face AmaZulu and Magesi in their final two catch-up games.
