Royal AM might have had their share of upheaval in the ranks, but Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has cautioned his side to be wary of a team that, due to a combination of factors, is “well-rested” and potentially dangerous.
The Buccaneers will have to acclimatise in their next fixture. Pirates will have to come down from the high of a 2-1 victory against Al Ahly at 80,000-seat Cairo International Stadium on Saturday that saw the Buccaneers end top of group B in the Champions League, to meeting the Betway Premiership’s second-last side at 12,000-capacity Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday night (7.30pm).
Coach John Maduka’s Royal plunged in form amid the club’s assets being put under curatorship by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) in November for alleged unpaid taxes amounting to R40m by owner Shauwn Mkhize. The KwaZulu-Natal side has lost four and drawn one in its past five games.
They have also not yet played in 2025, a fixture against Chippa United in Gqeberha set for January 11 postponed by the PSL after Royal disclosed it could not field a team amid a player strike over unpaid wages due to the club’s assets being controlled by Sars.
Chaotic Royal AM also ‘well-rested’, Orlando Pirates warned
Pirates have to come down from the high of a victory against Al Ahly in Cairo to the 12,000-seat Harry Gwala Stadium
Image: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Royal AM might have had their share of upheaval in the ranks, but Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has cautioned his side to be wary of a team that, due to a combination of factors, is “well-rested” and potentially dangerous.
The Buccaneers will have to acclimatise in their next fixture. Pirates will have to come down from the high of a 2-1 victory against Al Ahly at 80,000-seat Cairo International Stadium on Saturday that saw the Buccaneers end top of group B in the Champions League, to meeting the Betway Premiership’s second-last side at 12,000-capacity Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday night (7.30pm).
Coach John Maduka’s Royal plunged in form amid the club’s assets being put under curatorship by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) in November for alleged unpaid taxes amounting to R40m by owner Shauwn Mkhize. The KwaZulu-Natal side has lost four and drawn one in its past five games.
They have also not yet played in 2025, a fixture against Chippa United in Gqeberha set for January 11 postponed by the PSL after Royal disclosed it could not field a team amid a player strike over unpaid wages due to the club’s assets being controlled by Sars.
The club indicated this week — despite reports of coaching staff also not being paid and the squad being locked out of the training facility by security staff who also had not received wages — they will honour the match against Pirates.
Such a situation, considering Bucs’ form and continental heroics, might seem ripe for Royal’s Harry Gwala slaughterhouse to be turned against them. Ncikazi, though, cautioned AM’s players are fresh and might be raring to prove themselves on their return to a playing field.
“It’s a territory of uncertainty. We are playing a team that is well-rested, a team that has had enough time to prepare vs [a team facing up] against all the odds one might have [in scheduling and travel],” Ncikazi said.
Pirates’ Saleng ‘going through some stuff’ after seeing ‘those numbers’: ‘Cheeseboy’
“Hence it becomes important to analyse our own performance, try to improve from the previous match while you are aware of the opponents.
“They are a difficult team to play in Pietermaritzburg [where they] hardly concede and a team with the capacity and mental strength to come back even if they are a goal down.
“So it’s important we focus on our game and be aware of their weaknesses while we are cautious of the strengths of the opponents.”
Pirates have carried their excellent form from 2024 into the new year. They clinched a Champions League quarterfinal place with a home win against CR Belouizdad two weekends ago and the Ahly win made it three victories and a defeat, 1-0 in the league away to Cape Town City, from four matches in 2025.
Bucs (27 points) are breathing down seven-time successive Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns’ (30 points from 11) necks.
READ MORE
Better than 2013? Pirates young, in-form and unpredictable entering Caf quarters
BBK UNPLUGGED | I am no John Lennon but I implore you to Imagine ...
Bafana’s Le Coq Sportif deal safe for now despite strife at French parent company
Kaizer Chiefs boss Jessica Motaung defends playing home games away
Kinks for Cardoso to iron out if Sundowns to shed knockout chokers tag
Ahly coach Koller hits out over ‘valid goal’ disallowed in Pirates defeat
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos