Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has explained his surprise decision to substitute goalkeeper Sipho Chaine at half-time.
The first-choice goalie, Chaine, was pulled off during the half-time break when Pirates played to a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates found the opening goal in the 64th minute through wing-back Bandile Shandu. The goal was cancelled out by a late strike by Mpho Mvelase as both teams collected one point apiece.
The Buccaneers’ clash against Galaxy was their first match since the departure of their head coach, Jose Riveiro, a few days ago.
After Riveiro’s early exit before the expiry of his contract next month, Ncikazi was appointed as the caretaker coach at the Soweto giants for the remainder of the season.
The former Golden Arrows coach took over his first match in charge of Pirates against Galaxy. However, he could not collect maximum points.
Ncikazi didn’t make too many changes to a team that claimed a 3-0 win against Arrows in Riveiro’s last game at Pirates last Tuesday.
WHAT NCIKAZI SAID ABOUT CHAINE’S SUBSTITUTION
The 56-year-old revealed that he substituted Chaine due to an injury. The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has been a key figure for Pirates after featuring in 44 matches in all competitions, keeping 20 clean sheets.
“Sipho Chaine’s Achilles tendon was very tight. In the morning, we lost [Thalente] Mbatha, he was in the team,” Ncikazi said.
“Makhehlene Makhaula had an injury that you saw in the last match. These are human beings, but we are who we are. Maybe let’s go for the next objective, which is to give the youngsters opportunities so that we’re still able to grow. But Sipho had a tight Achilles tendon and we were medically advised that he could not continue with the match.”
Chaine was replaced by Melusi Buthelezi, who is the second-choice goalkeeper, while the young Siyabonga Dladla has been a third choice behind the two experienced goalies.
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