Golden Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi has declined to discuss reports of a breakdown in his relationship with Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou during their time at the Buccaneers.
Ncikazi recently left Orlando Pirates to join Arrows, with speculation surrounding an alleged internal disagreement with Ouaddou following his departure. Although Ouaddou has described their relationship as a good one, Ncikazi said he would not publicly discuss any issues involving his former club.
“As a man of my age, you don’t talk ill about your former employer because you offend them,” Ncikazi told the media after Arrows’ 1-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.
“Equally, when I start talking about my former employer, I’m offending my current employer. Every house has a toilet.
“As a man, you don’t have a responsibility to tell every family member there’s challenges in your family. Even if there was a problem, you are not going to know because I’m a man. I have a responsibility to protect the environment I work for.
“In every club where I’ve worked, there are issues. But I don’t have a responsibility to publicly tell. As a coach, you are a CEO of the company. Protect the environment. I’ve got no comment. I’ve got no issues to answer.”
Ncikazi’s focus after the defeat was instead on the areas Arrows must improve, particularly their attacking play.
The coach said his side managed to reach several of the positions it had targeted but failed to produce the final pass or make the right decision in the decisive moments.
“We will try to make the team better. We got into the areas we wanted to get into, but I’m disappointed in that part where there was one missing link.
“I don’t think we will win games if we don’t make decisions in that final area. But I’m not disappointed with the effort from the boys. They work very hard and there is something to work on and congratulations to Sundowns.”
