Mandla Ncikazi accuses TS Galaxy players of targeting Relebohile Mofokeng in PSL draw

The Buccaneers looked set to collect maximum points after Bandile Shandu gave them the lead, but Galaxy substitute Mpho Mvelase struck late to snatch a point for the visitors.

The match was marred by rough challenges, with Mofokeng bearing the brunt of Galaxy's physical tactics. The teenage playmaker was on the receiving end of several bad tackles and was even headbutted during the game, leaving him with a cut on his mouth.

Ncikazi expressed disappointment at what he perceived as a deliberate strategy by Galaxy to disrupt Pirates' rhythm by targeting one of their most creative players.

"I thought it was the plan of the opponents. When you have ball-players like we do, you could see the target was Mofokeng," Ncikazi told Phakaaathi.

"The bad part for me is when the opponents aren't playing football—they go for robust tactics to deal with a good player like him."

Despite the physical nature of the match, Ncikazi praised his young squad for holding their own under pressure.

"It's okay. We move forward. We've learnt, and the young players have learnt. I hope it continues, and we grow as a team. I think we're currently the youngest team in the PSL, so we go on again," he added.

The result leaves Pirates second on the league table with 56 points from 25 matches. They face SuperSport United away on Tuesday, followed by another away trip to AmaZulu on 24 May, and wrap up the season at home against Magesi FC on 28 May.