Ouaddou denies rift with Pirates assistant Mandla Ncikazi

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has rejected talk that his relationship with assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has soured, according to iDiski Times. He said the stories do not reflect what is happening at the club.

What Ouaddou said

Before the team’s upcoming match, Ouaddou was asked about speculation that he and Ncikazi had fallen out. He referred back to the club’s own statement on the matter, which explained that Ncikazi has had surgery and is now recovering.

“He had surgery, so now he’s recovering,” Ouaddou said, adding that he wishes his assistant all the best and that this was all he could say on the subject.

The Moroccan coach was clearly unhappy with the way the matter had been reported. He said he had read a great deal about it, and he urged people not to manufacture trouble where, in his view, none exists. According to Ouaddou, “everything is okay in the club” and the environment around the team is fine.

A gesture offered as proof

To back up his point, Ouaddou mentioned a recent moment between himself and Ncikazi in which he kissed his assistant on the head. In his words, “you cannot start to invent any stories” about two people who share that kind of closeness.

What we know and what we do not

The facts on the record are limited, and it helps to separate them from the speculation:

• Pirates have said in an official statement that Ncikazi had surgery and is recovering.
• Ouaddou has publicly denied any rift and described the mood in the camp as good.
• The reports of a fallout have not been confirmed by the club or by either man.

No return date for Ncikazi has been given in the material available, and the nature of his surgery has not been detailed. Supporters looking for reliable updates on his recovery or on any change to the Pirates technical team should rely on official club communication rather than unsourced claims.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.