Ncikazi wants Pirates response against Royal AM

Following their disappointing loss to Chippa United, Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says it is important for the team to bounce back to winning ways against Royal AM.

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The sides meet in a DStv Premiership encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday.

Pirates lost 1-0 to Daine Klate’s Chippa United last weekend, with the Buccaneers suffering their first loss under new head coach Jose Riveiro.

The Soweto giants only had themselves to blame for the loss, as they squandered their goalscoring chances with their strikers Kwame Peprah nor Eva Nga unable to fire Bucs past Chippa, only for the Chilli Boys to steal the maximum points with only five minutes of regular time remaining on the clock.

Coming up against Royal AM will not be easy for Pirates, especially away from home. Ncikazi knows this very well, but insists that this is a game where the Buccaneers need to get a win at all cost.

“It was a bad loss in the previous match, a good game without points. But it is important when we go to Royal AM, a very good team (that you make sure that you win). It is important that we start getting points, and a win will be very important,” said the Bucs assistant coach.

“Maybe it is (also) important we face opponents like Royal AM where our strengths will be really tested. Though it is a good team, I am sure we have the capacity to get three points against them.”

Pirates have registered four points in the opening three games of the season, while Thwihli Thwahla have collected six points after two wins and one loss.