Following the looming departure of Jose Riveiro, it has been revealed what Mandla Ncikazi will need to do in order to step into the demanding role of head coach at Orlando Pirates.
Pirates announced on Monday that Riveiro will be leaving earlier than anticipated after signing with a new club and putting in a request to pack his bags six weeks before the expiry of his deal.
The Spaniard is set to take charge of his final game when the side host Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday (19:30).
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Ncikazi will thereafter take over as interim coach until the club identifies a permanent replacement.
"Since Riveiro is heading to Al Ahly, that indicates he is a top-class coach. If he can succeed at Al Ahly the way he did at Pirates, he will be a major coach in Africa," says Sergio Dos Santos, himself a former coach at the top level.
"Ncikazi faces a significant challenge. I’m not sure about his capabilities - being an assistant coach is one thing, but being the head coach is a different responsibility.
"He has worked with Riveiro for three years, so he has likely learned a lot and may feel comfortable in this position. However, will the Pirates players respect him in the same way they respected Riveiro?
"What impressed me about Riveiro was his composure - he never lost his temper or displayed anger. He maintained incredible calm and earned great respect from his players.
"People often say that to coach Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs, you must be tough, otherwise you won't survive," says the ex-Amakhosi coach.
Dos Santos wonders whether, having worked alongside Riveiro for three seasons, Ncikazi can seize the opportunity if handed to him.
"When Riveiro arrived, not many knew him either.
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"When he speaks with the directors, I'm sure he has shared his thoughts about Ncikazi. Every coach is different, and every coach has their own approach. Riveiro is Riveiro, and Ncikazi is Ncikazi.
"The big question is whether Ncikazi is ready to take this chance. Only Riveiro can answer that."
