Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has apologised for his ‘Wollies and Pick n Pay’ comments and criticised Rulani Mokwena’s reaction.
Ncikazi claimed recently the Buccaneers are lagging behind Mamelodi Sundowns due to the depth the champions have within their squad – something he feels they were exposed for lacking amid a long list of injuries during the 2021/22 campaign thus far.
He stated the main difference between Pirates and the newly crowned Dstv Premiership champions is Masandawana can buy ready-made players from “Woolworths”, while the Buccaneers are forced into shopping “at Pick n Pay or Spar”.
However, Ncikazi now apologised for his remarks, saying he didn’t want to disrespect the club’s fans or players.
“Let me apologise, maybe with the usage of wrong terms,” Ncikazi told Thabiso Mosia on SAFM’s SportON.
“The Woolworths story, I just want to apologise to the supporters of Orlando Pirates, I respect them very much.
“I’ve discussed it [the comments] with the team, they understand. It was not meant, maybe the analogy was exaggerated.
“It was just an indication that maybe based on the question that came up that ‘how can the gap be bridged between this team and that team’ and my point was FIFA or financial restriction where other teams are affected badly by the Covid situation financially as a country, salaries for their teams.
“But in that case other teams can with liberty do that and maybe the analogy that was used was not correct.
“I just want to apologise sincerely, if it offended the Pirates supporters, who I respect, the players of Pirates who I’ve known. I’m just a respecting person and I wouldn’t come out publicly, trying to disrespect them.”
Ncikazi also said he wasn’t impressed with Mokwena’s reaction, even though he didn’t want name the Sundowns co-coach.
“I wouldn’t want to take it further because already there was other teams, which I wouldn’t want to extend. If maybe it was somebody else, I would’ve tried to explain,” he explained.
“But the one who commented, I wouldn’t want to mention names, I was not surprised because there is nothing positive that he can say about me or Pirates.
“So for me, I better not respond. It’s better not to say anything, just allow as he wishes.
When asked whether he’s talking about Rulani Mokwena, who was the only coach to comments on the matter, Ncikazi added: “I wouldn’t want to comment.
“I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t expect anything different. What he said for me reflected what he thinks of me, what he thinks of Pirates. That’s all I can say.”
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