Mngqithi Blames Old Squad For Last Season’s Struggles

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has reflected on the club’s poor performance last season, attributing their struggles to an aging squad.

The Durban-based team had a difficult 2024/25 campaign, finishing 12th in the Betway Premiership and narrowly avoiding relegation by just four points.

The 53-year-old returned to Arrows after being succeeded by Miguel Cardoso at Mamelodi Sundowns in December 2024. Having won the MTN8 with Arrows in 2009, the former Sundowns tactician revealed that the team struggled to compete because of having old players.

“I think what was a challenge was that the team was now old,” Mngqithi said.

“For a mid-table team, you need to be a little bit more dynamic and work a little bit harder, and probably that should be your main assets.

“The Arrows team that I am building now is a team that 100% will have the right energy for the game,100% you will see some interesting players, and I am looking forward to what these youngsters will show.

“They’ve grown so much in such a short space of time, and I’m just confident that they will bring back the excitement that used to come with Golden Arrows. The desire the people had to come and watch was because the quality of football would never let them down.”

Mngqithi is confident that the current squad, strengthened by new signings, is capable of bringing surprises in the upcoming season.

“I also see them as that team that will bring a few, if not a lot of good surprises in the season because they’ve had a very good season,” said Mngqithi.

“We can only hope that the youngsters, sometimes inconsistency and maybe fame can change things, but I just hope I can keep them grounded and make them perform to the level they’ve shown because they are a whole lot of positive things.”

He added, “Believe me, the best way to understand what I’m talking about is to come and watch.”

Arrows will open the league fixture against Siwelele FC at Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday.