Orlando Pirates have confirmed the departure of assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, who steps down to take up a head coaching role at an undisclosed Premier Soccer League club.

Ncikazi has been linked with a return to Golden Arrows, where he was the head coach during the 2020/21 season before his move to the Buccaneers.

He has worked with various coaches at the Soweto giants, including Jose Riveiro and more recently Abdeslam Ouaddou. The 57-year-old also worked as a co-coach alongside Fadlu Davids.

Prior to the announcement by Pirates on Thursday, there had been reports of a fallout between Ncikazi and head coach Ouaddou. The reports were fuelled by Ncikazi’s absence on the technical bench in recent games.

MANDLA NCIKAZI LEAVES BETWAY PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS AMID GOLDEN ARROWS LINKS

However, the reports were dismissed by coach Ouaddou during a media briefing at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Thursday.

But a few hours later, Pirates confirmed that Ncikazi had indeed left the club to take up a role as a head coach in the Premier Soccer League.

“Orlando Pirates Football Club confirms that Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi will be leaving the Club to take up the Head Coach position at a team in the Premier Soccer League,” the club confirmed.

‎”The move follows discussions with management this morning in which Mr Ncikazi expressed his wish to pursue the opportunity to lead a team again. The Club has given him its blessing to do so.

“For Ncikazi, the departure is also an opportunity to acknowledge the people with whom he shared his time at Pirates.”

‎Ncikazi leaves Pirates with nine trophies earned as part of the Pirates technical team, where he served predominantly as Assistant Coach, including a brief spell as co-coach in 2025.

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Meanwhile, Pirates boss Dr Irvin Khoza thanked Ncikazi and acknowledged his ambition to return to head coaching.

‎“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us,” said Dr Khoza.

“We respect his wish to pursue this new opportunity and wish him success as he takes on a new responsibility,”

‎Ncikazi is strongly linked with a move to Arrows to take over from coach Pitso Dladla. Despite an impressive start during the MTN8, Arrows have struggled in the League, accumulating only one win in their opening eight matches. They currently sit in position eight with eight points.

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