Madlala Brings Back Fan-Favorite Coach To Boost Pitso Dladla’s Arrows
Sportswire can confirm that Lamontville Golden Arrows have brought back Brazilian physical trainer Pedro Picarro as a fitness coach.
Picarro watched from the stands at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday as Abafana Bes’Thende pushed Mamelodi Sundowns to the limit in their MTN8 semi-final second leg, ultimately bowing out on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
This publication understands that Arrows chairlady Mato Madlala personally called Picarro following his exit from Magesi FC, who suffered relegation via the PSL promotion/relegation playoffs last season.
Picarro spent three seasons with the Limpopo outfit after Clinton Larsen recruited him during their 2023/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign. The duo engineered Magesi’s top-flight promotion before stunning Sundowns to lift the 2024/25 Carling Knockout Cup in Bloemfontein.
Following Larsen’s departure in December 2024, Picarro remained with the club until the end of last season.
Picarro’s strong relationship with Larsen dates back to their first spell together at Golden Arrows between 2015 and 2018, making his return to Durban a natural fit.
While Picarro is back in the mix, he will primarily manage non-traveling squad members during away fixtures, with Eduardo Langer-Schoeler continuing to travel with the matchday team. However, Picarro will remain an integral part of daily training sessions, assisting head coach Pitso Dladla, who has impressed since taking charge during the off-season.
Sunday’s 3-2 second-leg defeat to Sundowns ended a remarkable 13-match unbeaten run for Arrows—their first loss since a 5-0 hammering by Orlando Pirates in April.
Cassius Mailula’s equalizer to make it 1-1 on aggregate also marked the first goal Abafana Bes’Thende have conceded this season.
