Mandla Ncikazi cautions Pirates ahead of Durban City tie

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Ncikazi sends warning to Pirates ahead of City clash

Photo: Mandla Ncikazi

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has issued a warning to his charges ahead of their Betway Premiership clash against Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (15h30).

The Buccaneers are high flying at the moment, as they are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, with their last defeat dating back to the first month of the campaign in August.

Pirates sit second with a game in hand and level on 25 points with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, while the KZN-based outfit is in seventh place with 19 points from 13 matches.

Despite contrasting league forms, the Bucs second in command cautioned his troops against taking City lightly, anticipating a physical battle for the maximum points.

“The biggest danger will be to think Durban City is a new team. The coach is Gavin Hunt, we all know him, we know his traits and how the teams reflects on how he wants his matches to be played,” Ncikazi told OPTV.

"The stats are saying Durban City are one team that is more physical, that is fouled the most in terms of the stats. It can only tell you one thing that they are a physical side.

While he is aware of the threat posed by Hunt's men, the KZN-born mentor says Pirates are eager to wrap up the final league fixture of the year on a high, albeit acknowledges it won't be an easy task.

“But we are going to Durban, we have to wrestle for the points - last [league] match of the year, Pirates must get points. We just want to continue with the momentum, although we know that it won't be an easy match,” Ncikazi added.

Abdeslam Ouaddou's men will ascend to the summit of the table if they avoid defeat in Durban, while Sundowns will only return to league action with a visit to Siwelele FC on Wednesday, 03 December.