Former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Manqoba Mngqithi, has conveyed his aspiration to join Golden Arrows, a club that holds immense personal relevance to him.

Mngqithi appreciates Arrows for offering him a vital chance at a pivotal moment in his career. The club’s confidence in his leadership skills resulted in remarkable outcomes.

When Mngqithi became the head coach of Arrows in January 2007, he took over a team that was struggling at the lower end of the league. He swiftly brought stability, achieving his first victory against Thanda Royal Zulu in his inaugural match.

During his tenure, Arrows secured seven wins in the 14 matches he managed, including notable triumphs over Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits. A strong finish to the season, with victories over Jomo Cosmos and Benoni Premier United, positioned them at 12th in the standings.

Subsequent seasons saw continuous improvement, with Arrows finishing the league in ninth and then in fifth place. During the 2009/10 campaign, after a top-eight finish the previous year, something remarkable unfolded under Mngqithi’s leadership. They celebrated a stunning 6-0 victory against Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final at Orlando Stadium, captivating fans with a lively style of play that left the Cape Town side in shock.

This victory remains the largest margin recorded in a domestic cup final within the PSL history to this day.

“I will always stand ready to support Arrows throughout my life because I carry a profound sense of gratitude towards that club for shaping my identity,” Mngqithi stated in an interview with MSW and Robert Marawa after his recent exit from Mamelodi Sundowns.

“They took a leap of faith on me when no other club in South Africa would. When the team was struggling in 16th place with only 12 points from 15 matches, they approached me, saying, ‘We want you to be our head coach because we believe you can change the situation.’

“That trust is something I will always hold dear, especially since no one would risk R15 million in potential losses (at that time) by hiring a coach without PSL experience.

“Having served as an assistant coach for about a year and a half, they afforded me the opportunity for which I will remain forever thankful. I am open to providing support whenever possible, but I also need to assess the project presented to me.”

When questioned about any potential interest from Arrows, Mngqithi was cautious, stating, “I would prefer not to reveal what’s currently transpiring.”

Meanwhile, Golden Arrows, currently placed sixth in the league, have recently parted ways with co-coach Mabhuti Khenyeza due to concerns regarding interference in his role.