Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has thrown his support behind interim boss Mandla Ncikazi, urging the club to retain him for next season.
Riveiro’s early exit, after an impressive stint that delivered five trophies in three seasons, has left a leadership gap at the Soweto giants. Ncikazi, who had been serving as part of Riveiro’s technical team, has stepped up to guide the Buccaneers through the final stretch of the season.
For Palacios, the decision to back Ncikazi is about more than just filling a vacancy – it’s about preserving the rhythm and identity the team has built.
“Mandla is already part of the Orlando Pirates setup,” Palacios told KickOff. “He’s been head coach before and he’s familiar with the structure and strategy. This is about continuity – something you can’t afford to disrupt late in the season.”
Palacios emphasized that Ncikazi’s behind-the-scenes contributions under Riveiro have prepared him well for this moment.
“He was always involved – in training, in team talks, and on the road with the squad,” he said. “This isn’t new to him. If the chairman decides to keep him on, I believe he’ll handle it well. This is still the same season, not a reset. The foundations are already in place.”
Ncikazi’s experience, familiarity with the squad, and understanding of the club’s internal dynamics, Palacios argues, make him the logical bridge into the post-Riveiro era – even if a new permanent head coach is set to arrive in the off-season.
“He just needs to take the challenge head-on and not make unnecessary changes. He knows the terrain,” Palacios added. “At this stage of the season, you can’t tear things up and start over. It’s about steering the ship to shore.”
Ncikazi’s first outing as interim coach saw Pirates held to a 1-1 draw by TS Galaxy, but he still has three crucial games left – against SuperSport United, AmaZulu, and Magesi FC – to close the campaign on a high and strengthen his case for a continued role.
With speculation swirling about whether Pirates will revamp the entire technical bench, Palacios’ message is that continuity breeds stability, and stability breeds success. Keeping Ncikazi could offer Pirates just that as they navigate a pivotal moment in their journey.