Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi says there’s plenty of positives for the club to take into the 2025/26 season.
After the 1-1 draw with Magesi, Pirates finished the season on 61 points, a record points tally in their Premier Soccer League history, but it ended with a sombre mood for the club and it’s supporters.
Losing in the CAF Champions League semi-final to Pyramids, the Nedbank Cup final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs and Jose Riveiro, leaving after three seasons, and five trophies to his name.
“It would have been good to finish at home with a win, but I still think there’s positives going into the next season,” Ncikazi told SuperSport TV.
“I thought there were more positives than negatives this season, if you look at our team, the gap, competing in Africa, one moment, semi-final in CAF, we could have been in the final and maybe win it.
“Nedbank, we went into the final, I don’t think there’s any team who has introduced so many youngsters in their set-up, for me it’s a big positive, so many players are in the national team.
“Selepe was a ball boy three months ago, now in the national team, so for me, many positives, I wish we grow from here and become better.”
Ncikazi feels the foundation is set and this off-season will be crucial in what the Buccaneers will now look to restructure their technical team and lure talent to take them to the next level for their renewed ambtions.
“Pirates will improve, I trust the wisdom that’s in the office of ours, we will have to take stock, have to compile the reports,” he said.
“Where did we get it wrong, where can we improve, where he have to reinforce, where we think we were doing well. After that I’m sure solutions will come and then we will be a better team next season.”
