Mandla Ncikazi braced for tough Richards Bay assignment | OneFootball

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Ncikazi braced for challenging Bay test

Photo: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi is anticipating a tough clash against Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday (19h30).

The Soweto giants welcome the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Amstel Arena with an aim of securing maximum points in a bid to keep their title hopes alive.

Pirates head into the match sitting second with 44 points after Mamelodi Sundowns moved three points clear to the summit following a 2-0 win over Orbit College on Tuesday.

Richards Bay, meanwhile, beat Kaizer Chiefs in their last league outing, much to the concern of Ncikazi, who is aware of their strengths.

“We're facing another tough opponent, very aggressive in their press, aggressive in counter pressing, lots of pairing in the central corridors,” the KZN-born mentor told Pirates media department.

Though wary of the threat posed by the KwaZulu-Natal side, the Bucs second in command is banking on the 12th man to get the team over the line in the crucial match.

“But we're playing in our stadium in front of our supporters and we're just in competition to get three points and if the plan goes according to what we're preparing for, we should get three points,” Ncikazi added.

Notably, Pirates completed a league double over Richards Bay last season, and the upcoming match will be their first meeting of the ongoing campaign.