Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has provided an update on the club’s injuries ahead of the highly anticipated Soweto Derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership.
Pirates will lock horns with Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 26 April, with both sides gunning for maximum points and the derby bragging rights. The Buccaneers are approaching the match aiming to complete a league double over Chiefs, having defeated them 3-0 in the first round fixture in February 2026.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s troops have been on an impressive run of form, with key players Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis delivering strong performances in recent matches as the club chases the league title.
The Sea Robbers are looking to end Sundowns’ dominance in the Premiership, which has seen them win the league for eight successive seasons. Pirates are currently sitting at the summit of the log standings with 58 points in 25 matches, leading Sundowns by two points, although the defending champions have two games in hand.
On the other hand, Chiefs are seeking revenge against Pirates to win a crucial match, solidify their position in the third spot, and qualify for CAF inter-club competitions. The Naturena-based side is coming to the encounter against Pirates after a disappointing goalless draw against Polokwane City FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium this past weekend. But the draw saw Chiefs extend their unbeaten run to six games, with five wins and a draw. After a stalemate against Rise and Shine, Chiefs remained third on the league table with 46 points in 25 matches, having won 13 matches, drawn seven, and suffered four defeats.
WHAT MANDLA NCIKAZI SAID ABOUT PIRATES’ INJURIES AHEAD OF THE SOWETO DERBY
Speaking at the Pirates media day at Rand Stadium on Tuesday, the club’s assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi, provided an update on the squad, revealing that there are no injuries except for Tapelo Xoki and Sihle Nduli.
The duo is currently nursing long-term injuries after Nduli suffered the setback in the first round of the 2025/26 season, having joined the club in July 2025 from Stellenbosch FC. Meanwhile, Xoki has been out with a long-term injury, which has seen him miss all the matches for Pirates this season.
“The standard injuries that we have are Xoki; he’s still doing rehab. Sihle Nduli is also doing his rehab. I’m thinking quickly around the team, and I haven’t seen anybody in the doctor’s bed, so I think we’ll have a clean bill of health except for two main injuries that are known.” Ncikazi said.
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