Arrows’ Backroom Restructure As Madidilane Depart
Sportswire has gathered that Lamontville Golden Arrows have parted ways with assistant coach James Madidilane.
Madidilane spent only a brief period in Durban, having been appointed on 24 June as part of head coach Pitso Dladla’s technical team following the departures of Musa Bilankulu and Kagiso Dikgacoi.
He served for just 43 days after Dladla’s arrival, marking one of the shortest technical tenures in Abafana Bes’thende’s history.
The technical shift came after Arrows parted ways with former head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, prompting Dladla to bring in his own backroom staff after making the move from Durban City.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic right-back joined Abafana Bes’thende alongside goalkeeper coach Jacob Mokhasi.
Madidilane was still listed on the team sheet over the weekend as Arrows kicked off their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign with a 0-0 draw against Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
However, this publication understands that Madidilane has vacated his role, and his profile has already been removed from the club’s official website.
While the reasons behind his sudden exit remain undisclosed, he will not be on the bench when Arrows travel to FNB Stadium to face Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Sunday.
As a player, Madidilane won the SAA Supa 8 (now MTN8) with Bloemfontein Celtic in 2005, defeating Pitso Mosimane’s SuperSport United 1-0 in the final.
It was Madidilane’s precise cross that found Zambian striker Rotson Kilambe for the winning header, securing the trophy for Paul Dolezar’s side at Ellis Park Stadium.
