Ncikazi: No pressure ahead of derby clash

April 21, 2026 15

Orlando Pirates assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi, says they will prepare for this Sunday’s Soweto Derby against foes, Kaizer Chiefs like any other opponent.

Pirates will host Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off), with both teams chasing crucial league points.

There’s plenty riding on the fixture, with bragging rights and three crucial points that could help the Buccaneers’ title aspirations. They currently lead the standings, two points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand.

Chiefs, meanwhile, will also be looking for a win as they look to consolidate their top-three ambitions and possibly break into the top two.

“One danger that we try to avoid is measuring teams before we play them – the size and name of the team have no consequence on how you perform on the day. It’s the analysis that matters,” Ncikazi said.

“If you look at the matches where we didn’t do well and only drew, you wouldn’t have predicted that beforehand. It was about analysing opponents – identifying their threats and how we can counter them. So whether it’s Stellenbosch or Orbit, it doesn’t matter; it’s the same mentality of trying to get three points.”