Orlando Pirates comments misunderstood – Siphamandla Ncanana

The defender went viral after describing the Soweto giants as "just a name" ahead of their penultimate Betway Premiership clash in May, a match that would have handed Pirates the title had they won but it ended goalless. 

Speaking ahead of this weekend's MTN8 quarterfinal at the Orlando Amstel Arena, Ncanana clarified that he was merely trying to inspire confidence within his team and insists there was no malice behind the remark.

"They misinterpreted my statement because I was not trying to sound disrespectful and I don't have anything against Pirates. All I can say is once the referee blows the whistle it's 11 v 11."

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Behind the scenes footage from the Bucs camp revealed Pirates director of football Mpumi Khoza’s reaction to the statement. 

Ncanana argues that City also needed the points and wants to see his charges pick up from that performance this weekend. 

"We need to build from where we left off, and we know it's going to be a tough match because they are the defending champions. Last season when we played against them we just needed a point to maintain our top eight spot and we did that."

City now have a new coach in Khalil Ben Youssef, who replaced Pitso Dladla and the skipper says it won’t hurt rolling back the clip.

"We can watch that match again for some motivation for the players, and we can take all the positives from that game and use it in this quarterfinal."

Ncanana adds that the significance in sharing the spoils with Pirates last season is the reason why they are in the MTN8 this season.