Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has received support from a former player about his comments related to Ghabadinho Mhango's absence from the side.
Ncikazi defended the side's decision to not field Mhango, who was very impressive in the African Cup of Nations for Malawi. The coach felt that despite the star's international form, he won't get special treatment and suggested that maybe the DStv Premiership is bigger than the continental showpiece. Former Buccaneers midfielder Njabulo Manqana says that people might not be aware of things that contribute to Mhango's form at Pirates compared to his national team.
"Our league might be big to us, but not to compare to Afcon. It was shocking that he wasn't playing in the squad , but according to what coach Mandla Ncikazi said, I feel like it was coming from a place beyond football," Manqana told the Siya crew. "We need to understand something about coaches, they know things we don't know that are happening in camps.
"We need to look at that in terms of comparing camps and environments, including the mentality of a player, which coach Mandla might be coming from. Maybe his wording might be wrong but I feel, if there were follow up questions he would have given more clarity."