Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has sent a message of support to his former assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi and Orlando Pirates, wishing them all the best of luck ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup final against Moroccan outfit RS Berkane on Friday.
Ncikazi and Mngqithi have come a long way, having first met in a Level One coaching course circa 2003 and have previously worked together at Golden Arrows.
Mngqithi is convinced Bucs ‘have the capacity’ to bring the title home. The Soweto giants have been grinding results in the tournament registering six victories, one draw and three defeats.
“I would like to wish Orlando Pirates all the best in their run in the final and wish that they can bring it home. Maybe it will bring a glimpse of hope to South African football and South Africa, in general, to see one of our teams lift a continental tournament,” Mngqithi said.
“They’ve done very well; I have no doubt they have the capacity to win it. The confidence I have in Mandla [Ncikazi], the confidence I have in Fadlu [Davids] and the confidence I have in the whole team suggests to me that they are a team that got the capacity to win it.”
The 51-year-old Mngqithi called upon the country to rally behind the Buccaneers. “If we are patriotic enough, we have to support and show that we believe one of ours stands a chance to conquer the continent in that space. It’s very encouraging to have a South African team competing in that space; that should ignite a fire in all of us as South Africans.”
