Two out of 11 cup finals: Ncikazi on why Pirates failed to get second star
Orlando Pirates’ past decade has been characterised by many near misses! The Buccaneers have won just two cup finals since they were last crowned PSL champions 10 seasons ago.
Friday’s final against RS Berkane of Morocco, in which they lost 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, represented their 11th Cup final since winning the PSL title, which is more finals than any other side in that period. Thembinkosi Lorch went from hero to zero for the Buccaneers after he scored the equaliser for Pirates to send the match into penalties – only to miss from the spot in the shootout.
Bucs co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has opened up on why the Buccaneers could not bag the Caf Confederation Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.
“I still think the one-legged final is more appropriate because it gives a neutral venue compared to a two-legged final – you know, in Africa, anything is possible when you go to another country. The venue in Nigeria was appropriate. The treatment was appropriate, and the support in Nigeria was appropriate. We were just the ones that didn’t apply ourselves to take our chances,” Ncikazi told journalists after the match.
The Soweto giants had six goal-worthy strikes at goal, but only one effort hit the back of the net in extra time. The North Africans were stubborn in their defensive approach, only having two shots on target and getting the opening goal from the penalty spot.
“Very sad for our team. We lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost; it’s a match that we should have won in normal time. Story of our season, we created so many chances and dominated possession in the game, but you just don’t do what is important, to put the ball in the net.
“I feel for the players because they fought very hard. It is what it is. My disappointment is that it’s not a final we should have lost based on the dominance and creation of chances. But football is like that – you don’t put the ball in the net; this is the outcome,” explained Ncikazi.
He added that as coaches, they were responsible for lifting the players ahead of Tuesday’s league match against his former club Maritzburg United.
Previous Caf Confederation Cup winners
2004 – Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
2005 – FAR Rabat (Morocco)
2006 – Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
2007 – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
2008 – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
2009 – Stade Malien (Mali)
2010 – FUS Rabat (Morocco)
2011 – MAS Fez (Morocco)
2012 – AC Leopards (Congo)
2013 – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
2014 – Al Ahly (Egypt)
2015 – Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
2016 – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2017 – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2018 – Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
2019 – Zamalek (Egypt)
2020 – RS Berkane (Morocco)
2021 – Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
2022 – RS Berkane (Morocco)