Pirates coach Ncikazi wary of Chiefs’ Dolly ahead of Soweto derby

Kaizer Chiefs winger Keagan Dolly is definitely a player Orlando Pirates defenders will be keeping a close eye on when the teams lock horns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

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But, Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi believes Dolly is not the only player who possesses a threat in the Chiefs squad.

The 28-year-old Dolly has scored three goals for Chiefs and has four assists to his name in nine games so far, which has seen him being recalled to the Bafana Bafana squad for this month’s Fifa World Cup qualifier matches against Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Ncikazi admits that the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Montpellier in France player is Amakhosi’s best player at the moment, but says they will draw up a plan for the entire Chiefs team, not only for Dolly.

“We have to devise a plan, whether it works or not, we hope that it works. But when you look at Kaizer Chiefs and you look at individuals, you are going to lose the plot. Dolly is the best player, but there are many more at Kaizer Chiefs,” said Ncikazi ahead of the game.

“We have to look at them holistically as the attack, we will try to stop them from their strengths. Adapt to whatever they are doing and try to impose our game. When we have the ball, try to take care of the ball better because they can hurt you if you lose the ball carelessly, especially in areas where they want to win the ball. So, the plan, yes, I hope we have a good plan and that it works on match-day.”

Dolly has proven to be a nuisance for defenders on his return to the South African top flight league. And playing in his first Soweto derby will surely be a motivation for him to excel for Amakhosi, especially against a limping Pirates side, who have their top defender and captain Happy Jele out and new signing Olisa Ndah is doubtful for the match.

Innocent Maela, who has featured many times for Bucs whenever they played their Soweto rivals, will also miss the match due to an injury.