Ncikazi determined to fulfil Pirates' mission

Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi insists he remains committed to the club ahead of their final Betway Premiership fixture of the season against Magesi at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, May 28.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

Ncikazi was handed the reins for the Buccaneers' final four games after Jose Riveiro ended his tenure with a 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows on May 13, having been granted permission to leave Mayfair a few weeks earlier than expected.

The former Arrows coach is still unbeaten after kicking off his short reign with a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy before picking up his first win (1-0) at SuperSport United followed by another 1-1 stalemate away to AmaZulu.

Ncikazi's future at Pirates is uncertain as any potential new head coach could decide to bring in his own technical team, but Riveiro's former assistant will continue to serve the Soweto giants loyally until he's told otherwise.

The Sea Robbers will be targeting a record 20th league win of the campaign against the Carling Knockout champions, who eliminated them in the first round on October 19.

Dikwena tsa Meetse have defied the odds in the new year after seeming destined to make an immediate return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

The Limpopo outfit won just one of their opening nine matches and were rooted to the foot of the table at the start of January when Owen Da Gama was appointed as Clinton Larsen's successor.

But Da Gama orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, winning seven of his first 19 games in charge to secure the club's top-flight status.

MTN 8 football was still on the cards ahead of their clash with Marumo Gallants on May 24, however, a 1-1 draw meant that Magesi could no longer pip Richard Bay to eighth spot.

Da Gama's side could still finish as high as ninth though, should they cause another upset against Pirates in Soweto, where they ran out 3-2 victors in the Carling Knockout.

What was said:

Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi

"I'm wired differently, I'm working at Pirates, if I'm there, they are good enough, if I'm not there and it's decided, they are still good enough.

"I'm just proud of the contribution that I'm making at the club and being appreciated by the club. And as long as it's still like that, I'll always be the servant of this club until I'm told otherwise.

"I'm a smaller puzzle in a bigger picture, and how I'm wired, this has nothing to do with me, it's a mission. When you are at Pirates, you are sent. You must fulfil the mission."

Players to watch:

Orlando Pirates - With Bucs having second place wrapped up, Ncikazi could be tempted to field more youngsters against Dikwena tsa Meetse. Simphiwe Selepe made his fourth consecutive start at Usuthu and rewarded the coach's faith in him by scoring the equaliser which marked his first goal for the club. The midfielder is another exciting prospect at Mayfair and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota.

Magesi - Mcedi Vandala has proved to be an astute signing, registering four goals and two assists since making the switch from Sekhukhune United in January. The 30-year-old winger displayed his composure once more to draw Da Gama's men level from the spot against Gallants, making it his third penalty converted.

Head-to-Head: (Previous Betway Premiership meetings)

Matches - 1

Pirates wins - 1

Magesi wins - 0

Draws - 0