Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has played down any suggestion that the Buccaneers are favourites for Saturday’s MTN8 Final against Stellenbosch.
Speaking at the joint press conference on Thursday in Durban, Ncikazi was asked about Pirates being favourites and whether they felt any pressure with the tag.
But despite Pirates going for a third consecutive MTN8 title, and this being Stellenbosch’s first-ever MTN8 final, Ncikazi pointed out recent history between the club, where the Cape Winelands have won three of their last encounters.
“It depends on how you term favourites,” Ncikazi told the media.
“Because if you look at our previous encounters, Stellenbosch has won three ahead of us. They’ve scored more goals than us. Mabhida, they’ve played more games than Orlando Pirates. They won a cup.”
Ncikazi did concede that they will have more support on Saturday however.
“The only thing that will determine whether we are favourites or not, will be the number of supporters,” he continued.
“But if you use that metric only, then I’ll agree. But if you use all other metrics, I wouldn’t agree that we’re favourites, in essence, Stellenbosch, are the favourites.”