Mngqithi eyes explosive start with revamped Arrows squad
Image: BackpagePix
Manqoba Mngqithi is banking on speed, energy, and a younger Golden Arrows outfit to power the club into a bold new era, as the veteran coach prepares for his first full season in his third stint in charge of Abafana Bes'thende.
After narrowly missing out on the top eight last term, Arrows have undergone a sweeping transformation, with Mngqithi taking a surgical approach to lowering the average age of the squad and raising the ambition.
The Durban-based side kick off their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign with a tricky away clash against newcomers Siwelele FC on Saturday at 8pm.
It's a fixture Mngqithi sees as the perfect stage to unleash his new-look squad.
2️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣6️⃣ Betway Premiership fixtures.
🗓️ Here's how our fixtures stand for the month of August #10betgoldenarrows #greenandgold #sthendeway pic.twitter.com/nodrQYyroG — Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) August 4, 2025
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'It will be nice to have a good start to the season because we have a lot of youngsters with the hopes of improving our average age,' said the 53-year-old tactician.
'Our team was very old and no wonder we had a lot of unnecessary injuries (last season), we are hoping to have a team that's more energetic and more interesting in terms of play.'
He added that while Arrows have historically leaned on experience, the new generation brings a fresh dynamic that he hopes will result in a more entertaining and resilient side.
'This is a totally different team in profile and personnel so I'm just eager to see everything come together now.'
The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor — who famously led Arrows to MTN8 glory in 2009 — is no stranger to building under pressure.
But he admitted that unlike that championship run, this time pre-season results have given him reason to be optimistic.
'I remember when I won the MTN8 with Arrows, I didn't win a single game in pre-season but this time we've had a good pre-season so I'm upbeat about the new season.'
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