Rulani Mokwena Responds to Mandla Ncikazi’s Comments, Orlando Pirates Coach Says Masandawana Only Buy Stars

Rulani Mokwena Responds to Mandla Ncikazi’s Comments, Orlando Pirates Coach Says Masandawana Only Buy Stars

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
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  • Rulani Mokwena has commented on Mandla Ncikazi's latest controversial statements, this time directed at Mamelodi Sundowns
  • Mandla Ncikazi accused Mamelodi Sundowns of only buying ready-made players and not growing their own stars
  • Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena praised the hard work and dedication that has gone into making Mamelodi Sundowns so dominant

Mandla Ncikazi has become an outspoken cult personality of late, and fans are always keen to hear what the Orlando Pirates co-coach has to say next.

Fresh off his comments against Tanzania’s Simba SC, Ncikazi next fired shots at reigning DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rulani Mokwena, Mandla Ncikazi, Comments, Orlando Pirates, Coach, Masandawana, PSL, DStv Premiership, Buccaneers, Mamelodi Sundowns, Soccer, Sport, South Africa
Rulani Mokwena has hit back at Mandla Ncikazi after the former accused Mamelodi Sundowns of only buying big-name players. Image: @iDiskiTimes
Source: Twitter

Speaking after the Buccaneer’s draw against Chippa United, Ncikazi sensationally claimed that Sundowns only signed ‘ready-made’ players; hence they were able to dominate the league, IOL reported.

“Some teams are playing with development players, getting young players. But Sundowns buys at Woolworths, and we buy at Pick n Pay and Spar,” Ncikazi said.

He also suggested that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) introduce a financial fair play rule to allow other teams to have a chance of closing the gap with Sundowns.

Sundowns' co-coach, Rulani Mokwena, was not impressed by the comments.

As reported by Goal.com, Mokwena said he would not dignify the comments with a response because they lacked consistency.

"I’m not going to respond to what he said because a couple of weeks ago he said that Orlando Pirates are in the same space as Sundowns and now it’s Woolworths and Shoprite," Mokwena said.

Mokwena praised the Sundowns team and players for their hard work and dedication that led to the Brazilians winning a fifth consecutive league title. He also praised the former coaches, previous technical team and former players for setting the team onto this path of greatness.

Ncikazi has been often in the news of late thanks to his sometimes controversial comments. Following the first leg CAF Confederation Cup tie against Simba SC, Ncikazi accused the team and the country of hostile treatment.

After the second leg fixture, Ncikazi accused the Simba team of being well versed in delaying and fabrication tactics. The comments once again had South African football fans hanging on his every word.

"Keep my country out of your mouth and also my team": Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez fires back at Mandla Ncikazi

Tensions are on the brink of boiling over between Tanzania's Simba SC and Orlando Pirates following their CAF Confederation Cup clash. Simba won the game 1-0 due to a penalty in the 68th minute, which proved to be a source of contention.

Tensions began to boil over as Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi launched a verbal tirade in the post-match conference, Sowetan LIVE reported. Ncikazi blamed the loss on the hostile environment and poor treatment they received from their Tanzanian hosts.

Ncikazi’s comments have not sat well with the Tanzanian side, though. Simba’s CEO, Barbara Gonzalez, hit back at Ncikazi and stated that the club would lodge an official complaint against him, KickOff reported.

Authors
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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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