Caf Confederation Cup: Simba SC’s Gonzalez hits back at Orlando Pirates’ Ncikazi after 'animal-like treatment' claims

Simba SC CEO Barbara Gonzalez has claimed Orlando Pirates head coach Mandla Ncikazi wanted to tarnish the club’s reputation during their two-legged tie.

After the first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-final in Dar es Salaam – which the Premier Soccer League side lost by a 1-0 margin on April 17 – Ncikazi claimed Simba did not accord them a good reception and that they were treated ‘like animals’.

Words of war between the two clubs' hierarchy has continued to flow in the lead-up to this weekend's second leg.

"He [Ncikazi] wanted to soil the reputation of Simba and the country at large," Gonzalez said, as per Mwanaspoti.

"We have already taken action against him by reporting him to the relevant authorities, and we believe a decision will be justifiably taken [against Ncikazi].

"Simba are a big club and many clubs want to be popular through Simba, which is why we are not going to allow anyone to soil our reputation because we are a big institution with people who are ambitious and have a sense of direction."

Simba have also criticized Pirates for not providing them with a police escort when they arrived in the country on Friday.

"Thanks Orlando Pirates for the reception, but you denied us the police escort on the road. We have been forced to use our ambassador’s car to lead us," Wekundu wa Msimbazi tweeted upon arrival in South Africa.