Ncikazi sweats on Pirates injuries ahead of Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has bemoaned his side’s long injury-list as he sweats on the fitness of Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah for the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

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Ndah was forced off with 20 minutes remaining in Tuesday’s 2-1 DStv Premiership win over Sekhukhune United, yet another injury blow for a team already missing several its top stars, including captain Happy Jele.

"I'm hoping that Ndah is OK because you can see what's happening at the back. We lost Jele, now Ndah is doubtful,” Ncikazi says. “But it is what it is. Let's move on to the next match. The most important match in the PSL calendar.

"We have a lot of challenges, without making excuses because I know in every team it happens. But in our team it's extraordinary. You can make a list of a new team out of injuries.

"I'm just happy that we won with every adversity that we faced. Let's look to the next one.”

Pirates rallied after going a goal down and Ncikazi says the character shown to come back from the setback of conceding was very pleasing.

"What I thought was encouraging was the ability to stay composed when we fell behind. Subconsciously I thought we would start rushing which happened in one match. But I just liked the character that we saw from our team. Work in progress.

“We continued playing the way we play. If you are possession-based and you want to use possession to create chances, don't change now because you have fallen behind. You need the patience and against a low block, they are waiting for one ball.

“Make one mistake and they will punish you. I think we did well second half in handling them in their counter-attacks."