Readers React With Laughter at Orlando Pirates Coach Mandla Ncikazi's Comment About PSL and AFCON

• Whether he was joking or being serious, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi's comments on Sunday have sent social media into a frenzy
• Ncikazi contextualised Gabadinho Mhango's exclusion from the squad in a Nedbank Cup match by suggesting the Premier Soccer League could be bigger than the African Cup of Nations
• He could have meant these words differently, but either way, supporters and rivals fans were all over them like a police investigation

Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi caused an absolute scene among Sports Brief readers.

Ncikazi, speaking in the aftermath of Orlando Pirates' 1-0 win over Amazulu in the Nedbank Cup, casually exclaimed that the Premier Soccer League could be bigger than the African Cup of Nations. This was to contextualise why red-hot striker Gabadinho Mhango was left out of the starting lineup.

KickOff quoted Ncikazi as saying:

"Mhango will wait like all other players. We recognise and acknowledge his performance at the Afcon but maybe the league in South Africa is bigger than the Afcon, but that is a question for another day."

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As one can imagine, the response was quite predictable.

Puleng Makofane said:

"Ncikazi is smoking enamel paint. Whoever is supplying him must stop, please."

Russell Jon said:

"I don't think he meant what he said. If indeed that's what he meant then he needs his head examined."

Lucky Lukhele said:

"And then we expect a player to be confident. After a coach has spoken like this about that player."

Kay Khwela said:

"He is right. PSL is bigger than AFCON in terms of longevity of the competition."

Aubrey Mnisi said:

"Reason we can't even qualify, with coaches who are telling our players such things."

Xabiso Malimba said:

"Mna I blame the rats management for promoting a ball boy into a coaching position."

Lebogang Leonard said:

"Remember Once a Pirate always a Pirate. They burnt FNB stadium due to lack of information. They are not well upstairs."

Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy blames referee for loss against Orlando Pirates in Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie

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Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy was not a happy man after his charges were beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie at Orlando Stadium.

As reported on Sports Brief, the hosts were fortunate not to have a penalty decision go against them midway through the first stanza after Goodman Mosele handled the ball in a sliding challenge in the box.

McCarthy was not impressed with referee Masixole Bambiso's call to deny Usuthu a penalty