Ncikazi: Pirates need to improve finishing for Confed Cup final

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Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi admits his side will need to be more clinical in the Caf Confederation Cup final after “not playing well’ in their semi-final.

The Soweto giants booked their spot in Friday night’s final in Uyo, Nigeria, against RS Berkane of Morocco on Sunday night despite a 1-0 loss against Al Ahil Tripoli at the Orlando Stadium which had the SA club progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Post-game, Ncikazi admitted his side will need to improve in the final third after being wasteful in the semi-final second leg.

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“It was a tough match. In the bigger picture we reached the final. Could we have done it in a better or cleaner way? Yes. I’m proud we achieved the bigger goal. At the beginning of the competition, if you had said Pirates would be in the final, one would be grateful.

“Let’s take the bigger picture and try to work on the small elements one picked up preparing for Nigeria, which is going to be very tough.”

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“We did not play well, we did not follow some of our tactical agreements,” Ncikazi added. Perhaps it was the pitch, but you don’t use that as an excuse. One has to improve. We have to improve scoring. I know in the final you will create a chance – the difference will be us scoring or not scoring.

“If we can polish our finishing and the decision-making in the final third, I’m sure there’s a better possibility of us winning.”

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Dean Workman