Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi was proud of his younger players following their performance against SuperSport United.

The Buccaneers returned to winning ways after claiming a 1-0 victory over United thanks to a 72nd minute winner by Mohau Nkota at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.

The win sees Pirates remain in second place on the table with 59 points, having won 19 games, drawn two and conceded five defeats in 26 matches.

SuperSport, meanwhile, remains in 14th place on the log with 27 points after six wins, nine draws and 12 defeats in 27 matches.

Ncikazi was happy to walk away with all three points but was even more proud of his players for fighting till the end to secure the win.

“We had to do it, good three points towards the end it got sloppy. But I thought first half we were in control, maybe the contribution of the subs that we made, I thought they contributed well today,” Ncikazi told SuperSport TV.

“No, subconsciously what happened last week we’re thinking and we’re a team that’s playing game number 50 and you know that towards the end the legs will give in but I’m proud of the boys that they battled till the end.

“You could see when they threw in Nurkovic – all their strikers. Now you knew what was going to happen, but I’m just proud of the team that today we could get the three points.

“These human beings are amazing, no complains. They dig in every day; they are there every day no complains and one can only be proud that this group of players are willing to put their names in the history of the club and I’m just happy for the young boys that are getting the opportunity.

“They are using it correctly, another one today – the goalkeeper. I thought Siya you couldn’t tell that it was a young boy in the sticks. Proud for the history of this club.”