Orlando Pirates stand-in captain Olisa Ndah has praised assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi for significantly enhancing his performance since joining the club.
Ndah, who arrived from Akwa United in August 2021, has enjoyed a successful tenure, securing back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles.
The 26-year-old centre-back recently returned to the Nigerian national team for the first time in over a year, contributing to their 3-0 victory over Benin.
Ndah also made headlines by scoring in the MTN8 Cup semifinal match against Cape Town City FC, propelling his team to another final.
While Ndah acknowledged the contributions of head coach Jose Riveiro, he emphasised Ncikazi’s pivotal role in his development.
“Mandla Ncikazi is the one who signed me at the club,” Ndah revealed in an interview with Centerkick. “He believed in me and provided me with opportunities, for which I’m always grateful.
“He’s a fantastic person, and I have a strong relationship with him.”
Ndah detailed how Ncikazi’s support extended beyond the pitch. “He helped me in various ways, including game analysis.
“His assistance has been invaluable,” Ndah added.