‘Orlando Pirates will be team to beat!’ Ncikazi welcomes Chiefs and Sundowns challenge

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi is convinced teams will be coming hard on Bucs, especially after winning a treble in the 2025/26 season.

Apart from the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, the Sea Robbers beat Mamelodi Sundowns to the Premier Soccer League crown, their first in 14 years. Masandawana were aiming at winning their ninth title in a row.

Kaizer Chiefs finished third, for the first time in six years. In the last two seasons, the Glamour Boys had failed to make the MTN8 competition after finishing 10th and ninth, respectively.

The Buccaneers will be aiming to successfully defend their domestic titles, as well as having a say in the CAF Champions League. Last season, they failed to get into the group stage just a year after reaching the semi-final with the then-coach Jose Riveiro.

Pirates will be a team to beat

Bucs assistant coach has now opined what winning the Premier Soccer League crowns, as well as the other titles, means.

“What we have done this year is no longer important in terms of saying, you can’t dry today’s washing using yesterday’s sun; that’s what has always been said,” the experienced tactician said as quoted by the Sowetan.

“What happened before is not going to bear any result in relation to what happens in the next season. We have to prepare well, and we must know that we are a team to beat, so we must prepare thoroughly,” the 57-year-old added.

After their good run, Pirates produced eight players – Sipho Chaine, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa – for Bafana Bafana who will be competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.