Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has shared a farewell message with Mandla Ncikazi after he left his role as assistant coach at the club.
Ncikazi had been with the club since June 2021, taking up different roles, including co-coaching alongside Fadlu Davids in 2021/22 when they reached the CAF Confederation Cup final but lost to RS Berkane on penalties.
While Davids left the club, Ncikazi stayed on and worled as assistant to Jose Riveiro and later Abdeslam Ouaddou.
There had been recent rumours of a rift between Ouaddou and Ncikazi, but the head coach dismissed those earlier on Thursday.
However, Pirates have now confirmed Ncikazi’s exit after the coach requested to leave “to pursue a head coach role with another PSL club” – Golden Arrows.
With Ncikazi set to return to Abafana Bes’thende, Khoza sent the club’s long-term servant some farewell words and his blessings.
“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing,” the chairman told Pirates’ media team.
“His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us. We respect his wish.”
During his time at Mayfair, Pirates won four successive MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cups, the Carling Knockout, the Carling Black Label Cup and the Betway Premiership title.