Ouaddou's right-hand man rallies troops for College test

Mandla Ncikazi has detailed Orlando Pirates' preparations for their final match of the season, which will determine if they end proceedings on a joyous note or snatch defeat at the hands of victory.

Pirates Mpumalanga (meaning land of the rising sun), in hopes that the Betway Premiership sun will shine on them come the final whistle of the encounter against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

The game carries a double-edged significance as it will not only determine if they win the league title but will also decide the home side's fate.

So, one man's celebration could be another's relegation.

Ncikazi, ever the voice of reason in the Buccaneers camp, has stood up to warn the squad against getting lost in the occasion.

"We cannot ignore the emotional state of the game, what is at stake. But it is still important to get our facts correct and the message correct to the players," he reasoned, speaking to the club's media department.

"It will be 11 players on the field against a team that is fighting for their lives. We also need the points desperately, so we are planning to play the match, play the Pirates way: dominate the match, score goals, and create chances.

"If we do what we have prepared to do, I am very positive that we will get the results," he went on.

Aside from Masindi Nemtajela and Sihle Nduli, the Soweto giants have a clean bill of health, plus no suspensions.

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This puts them at full strength against a team that will be without Yanga Madida and Thuso Moleleki, both on loan from Pirates, due to an agreement between the two clubs.

They also did not feature when they met in August last year as Abdeslam Ouaddou's men ran out 1-0 winners.