The head coach of Orlando Pirates, Abdelslam Wadee, issued a statement to dispel rumors about a possible deterioration of relations with assistant coach Mandla Ntsikazi, insisting that reports of tension within the technical staff are unfounded.
These rumors raised questions ahead of the upcoming Pirates match. Wadee redirected attention to the club's official statement, which confirmed that Ntsikazi had undergone surgery and was recovering.
Instead of fueling speculation, the Moroccan coach wished his assistant a speedy recovery and stated that he could add nothing more. He noted: 'The club released a statement about this; he had an operation, so he is currently recovering. I wish him all the best; that is all I can say.'
However, Wadee reacted more decisively to the widespread coverage of the topic, accusing some media outlets of fabricating a conflict that, in his opinion, does not exist. He emphasized: 'We have read many things about this; everything in our club is fine, the atmosphere is okay, so people should not start creating any problems. There was an operation, and I wish him all the best; do not create problems. I have read many things.'
The Pirates coach also mentioned a recent affectionate moment between them, questioning why their relationship has become the subject of negative assumptions. He stated: 'Someone kisses someone on the head; you cannot start making up stories.'
Wadee's comments were aimed at stopping discussions about a rift, as the coach insists that Ntsikazi's absence is due to post-operative recovery, not disagreements within the technical team. For Pirates, the upcoming games remain the priority, and Wadee made it clear that he does not want speculation to distract from the work at the club.
