Latest news with #Mngqithi
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Early pressure as Arrows and Richards Bay collide in first KZN derby of the season
Golden Arrows, coached of Manqoba Mngqithi, and Richards Bay face off in a high-stakes KwaZulu-Natal derby at King Zwelithini Stadium. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The first KwaZulu-Natal derby of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season promises a tense battle on Wednesday evening when Golden Arrows host Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Both sides come into this clash licking their wounds after opening-day defeats, adding an extra layer of urgency to what is already a fiercely contested provincial fixture. Arrows were blown away by newly reformed Siwelele on Saturday, while Richards Bay suffered a home loss to Marumo Gallants in Umlazi. For Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, the derby offers an early chance to get the campaign back on track and restore belief among the supporters. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Mngqithi, in his first full season back at the helm, has a side blending experienced hands with youthful energy, but Saturday's lapses in concentration proved costly. The likes of Nduduzo Sibiya and Nhlanhla Zwane will be expected to inject urgency and creativity into the attack this time around. Richards Bay co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane are also feeling the heat after a flat showing against Gallants. The Natal Rich Boyz, now in their fourth season in the top flight, are keen to avoid a relegation dogfight having finished eighth last season, and three points against a local rival could be the perfect lift. Midfield general Tlakisani Mthethwa and skipper Simphiwe Mcineka will need to lead from the front if Bay are to impose themselves. While Arrows have claimed three wins in the last five league meetings between the sides, Richards Bay have enjoyed the recent upper hand — winning and drawing the last two encounters. Their physical approach and aerial presence have often unsettled the Durban side, particularly in tight matches. #BetwayPrem 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝: The results from matchday 1 of the 2025/2026 season. — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) August 11, 2025
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Manqoba Mngqithi convinced he's found the ‘new Doctor Khumalo'
Have Arrows found the 'new 16V'? Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he's found a teenager who he has likened to South African football legend Doctor Khumalo. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes he's discovered the 'new Doctor Khumalo.' Coincidentally, the 17-year-old midfielder shares the same surname as Khumalo, regarded by many as one of the finest footballers this country has ever seen. Speaking ahead of their Betway Premiership opener against newly minted Siwelele FC, Mngqithi said South Africans will enjoy watching teenager Nthutuko Khumalo, who he discovered in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. 'I've got a 17-year-old you'll love watching this season,' the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach was quoted by iDiski Times. According to Mngqithi, the youngster is so good, the club will struggle to keep him playing in South Africa. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'If he stays with Arrows for more than three seasons without going overseas, I will say something is wrong with my brain because he's a special player. I'm telling you he's an amazing talent. 'At Midlands, I signed around five players under 21 – only one was older, at 24. And it's by coincidence that he is a Khumalo, but he really reminds me of a faster Doctor Khumalo,' said Mngqithi. 'He is an interesting player, believe me, you will love what you will see. 'In terms of what happens with the results and the log table, I don't know, but believe me, we will be an interesting team to watch.' Doctor Khumalo – affectionately known as '16V' – was one of South Africa's most iconic and influential midfielders. His playing style was defined by intelligence, creativity, and composure, making him a central figure for both Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana in the 1990s. He was a member of the Bafana team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. However, one of his most memorable performances came in Bafana's game against Brazil that same year. In the first half, he controlled the tempo in midfield as South Africa ran up a 2-0 lead at half-time. Khumalo provided an assist for Phil Masinga's opener and scored himself to make it 2-0. Khumalo was taken off in the second half, and South Africa collapsed, allowing the world champion Brazilians to seal a famous 3-2 victory. Then head coach, the late Clive Barker, later regretted the decision to substitute Khumalo, saying 'it took the bite out of Bafana.' It's those very qualities – composure, creativity, and an ability to control the tempo – that Mngqithi believes Nthutuko Khumalo is beginning to show. Mngqithi likening the youngster to one of the greatest footballers in the country's history is high praise. South Africa will be hoping to get a glimpse of this gem of a player when the new Betway Premiership season kicks off this weekend. IOL Sport
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
we are all gunning for Cardoso's Sundowns
'Cardoso must know it will not be easy for him,' said the Arrows head coach. Manqoba Mngqithi says all the teams in the Betway Premiership will be out to take down Mamelodi Sundowns this season. ALSO READ: Barker sees benefits in early Chiefs clash The Golden Arrows head coach was replaced at Sundowns last season by Miguel Cardoso, who led Masandawana to an eighth consecutive Premiership title. Mngqithi – 'All the teams will be gunning for him' 'Cardoso must know it will not be easy for him. All the teams will be gunning for him, including myself,' said Mngqithi this week, at the Premiership launch in Sandton. As a previously long-serving member of the Sundowns coaching staff, Mngqithi is probably better placed than most to explain why Masandawana have had such consistent success. 'It is the (squad) depth more than anything,' said Mngqithi. 'It is a not a privilege we can have as smaller teams. The budget for that is too difficult to manage. (At Arrows) When we start the season we have to help give confidence to our youngsters and that that can be a springboard to gain the depth necessary for the team to do well. 'It is what is on the bench and in the stands that ultimately wins the league. Not the starting 11. 'If Sundowns have no (Teboho) Mokoena, they have (Bathusi) Aubaas. If they have no Marcelo (Allende) they have (Jayden) Adams, or (Sphelele) Mkhulise. It is the same (quality of) team. But we must hope and pray for the growth of other teams.' Substitutes advantage Mngqithi also believes that Sundowns have benefitted from the increase from three to five substitutes, available to teams since 2020. 'One reason why it makes it very difficult for teams to compete with Sundowns is the five subs,' he said. 'I challenge any team in the league. Can you go to Pirates and find the same quality (on the bench)? 'Or at Chiefs? Or Arrows? But Sundowns have ten players on the bench that are good enough to start. 'I am not saying it should be stopped, but the truth of the matter is that when a team like Sundowns has so many players of high calibre on the bench and in the stands, that is where the league is won.' On top of this, Mngqithi also picked out the fact that Sundowns tend to almost always beat the so-called smaller teams in the league. 'In the PSL you no longer know' ALSO READ: Durban City announce Nodada and three more signings 'In the PSL you no longer know who can beat who,' he added. 'But if you can find Sundowns not winning against Stellenbosch, Chiefs or Pirates, they will not lose against Polokwane City or Magesi. That is where teams like Sundowns capitalise … they make sure they win 90 percent of their games against smaller teams.' Mngqithi's Arrows will start their season with a visit to Premiership new boys Siwelele FC at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Mangaung on Saturday.
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mngqithi eyes explosive start with revamped Arrows squad
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi gives out instructions to defender and captain Gladwin Shitolo as they plan an energetic approach to the season. | BackpagePix 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 — Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) August 4, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ '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.'
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Dikgacoi backs Mngqithi's bold title ambitions at Golden Arrows
Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi co coaches of Golden Arrows. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu, BackpagePix Image: Backpages Golden Arrows assistant coach Kagiso Dikgacoi has thrown his support behind Manqoba Mngqithi's bold ambition to mount a Betway Premiership title challenge, saying the veteran coach has already transformed the club's mentality behind the scenes. Mngqithi returned to Arrows late last season after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns, reuniting with a club where he built his name in the early 2000s. He took over a side battling for consistency and managed to steady the ship, helping Abafana Bes'thende secure a 12th-place finish — two points shy off a top-eight spot. Now, with a full pre-season under his belt, Mngqithi has made it clear that he's aiming higher. For Dikgacoi, who played under Mngqithi during his first spell at Arrows before securing a move abroad, the ambition is refreshing and familiar. 'We obviously didn't do well last season until he came in, and he immediately demanded intensity from the players,' said Dikgacoi. 'That shifted the mentality a little in the changeroom.' Although Arrows missed out on a top-eight finish, the improvement under Mngqithi's short tenure was evident. And now with the off-season to fine-tune the squad and structure, the technical team believes the club can push into new territory. 'Unfortunately we couldn't make the top eight like we'd hoped, but he is someone that wants to win things,' Dikgacoi added. 'He's won cups and league titles, and that's the mentality he's instilling in us. 'Hopefully we're gonna be able to do that this season with the players we've got and the players we've also let go.' Arrows have undergone subtle changes in personnel, but the biggest shift has come in the tone and culture within the squad.
