Orlando Pirates’ Simphiwe Selepe scored a late equaliser to earn the Buccaneers a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu FC in a Betway Premiership clash.
The result sees Ncikazi recording two draws and one victory since taking from the departed Jose Riveiro.
Pirates remain firmly in second place on the log with 60 points from 27 matches, while AmaZulu close out their campaign in sixth position with 31 points, securing a top-eight finish.
Pirates dominated the early exchanges with superior ball possession and a flurry of attacking intent, but they were dealt a setback midway through the first half when Mbekezile Mbokazi was forced off due to injury and replaced by Tapelo Xoki.
Despite controlling the tempo, the Soweto giants were wasteful in front of goal. Patrick Maswanganyi had two clear chances to open the scoring, while Deon Hotto forced a save from Usuthu goalkeeper Richard Ofori. At the other end, AmaZulu nearly capitalised on a counter, but Tshepang Moremi was denied by a well-timed clearance from the Pirates defence before the break.
AmaZulu were also hit by injury early in the second half, losing Ofori, who was replaced by former South Africa Under-23 international Andile Mbanjwa.
The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Moremi drove into the box and took a shot from a tight angle that deflected off Maswanganyi and into the Pirates net, giving the hosts a surprise 1-0 lead.
The Buccaneers pushed for an equaliser, with Boitumelo Radiopane narrowly missing with a close-range volley. The pressure eventually paid off in the 77th minute when 20-year-old Simphiwe Selepe scored his first senior goal, striking a powerful shot past Mbanjwa to rescue a point for Pirates.
The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils in a match filled with high intensity and opportunities for both sides. While AmaZulu have wrapped up their season, Pirates will conclude their campaign against Magesi FC on 28 May, with a second-place finish and potential CAF Champions League qualification already secured.