Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says his side are more relieved than anything to reach the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup following their 2-0 win at tricky second-tier side All Stars on Saturday.

Goals from Monnapule Saleng and Thembinkosi Lorch sent The Buccaneers into the second round but it was a battle for the side.

“I thought it was just important for us to go to the next round, the field conditions were also not suitable for the type of game that we wanted to play,” Ncikazi said.

“We’re just excited that with the struggle that we had first half, we could score in the second half. We want to play the game, we want to play on the ground but like I said conditions were not very suitable.

“Maybe which explained the struggle, I’m just happy that we’re in the next round.”

There was a red card for head coach Jose Riveiro which Ncikazi believes may have been for some foul language.

“From what I heard from the officials, maybe the language that was used, I don’t know what was said, if it was not permissible in the field of play. That’s all they said but I’m not sure what really happened.”