Ncikazi wants more ruthless Pirates

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi says he expects his side to be more ruthless in the future after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers are still searching for a first victory of the campaign after a defeat in the MTN8 quarterfinals was followed by two draws to start the league season, with the team battling to break down a defensive Gallants side in Orlando.

"Disappointed with the result. When you look at the match and see how the opponent played, they were playing with a low block. At the beginning of the season you still have to get the rhythm as a team. So we are trying to fix certain things,” Ncikazi says.

“But I never thought they would play that low. It suited their game. If we're going to win matches we need to be more ruthless. We're not going to create lots of chances when a team plays like that.

"In the first half we had a few half-chances and a chance we did not take. I thought we would take a few from set plays. But the delivery was not in the right place but it's a work in progress. I'm disappointed but I see the improvement a bit and the confidence in the team and how they circulate and protect the ball. But the result is not what we expected.

“Maybe the wrong pass, the wrong decision, the timing is not right in the final third. Maybe with time we will improve but like I said there is progress. There is confidence which is important to win. We have a lot of work to do.”

Pirates are now not in action until a home game against Swallows FC in the original Soweto Derby to be played on September 11. The Buccaneers have already lost to The Birds in the MTN8 this season.