Mngqithi Delighted To Reunite With Downs Duo
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi was beaming with pride after reuniting with Arthur Sales and Marcelo Allende in the Carling All Stars team.
Mngqithi did not stop there, praising the duo’s development at Mamelodi Sundowns and hailing them as among the best players in the PSL.
The former Sundowns mentor was reunited with Sales and Allende when they featured for the Carling All Stars in their clash against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Despite a spirited performance in the first half, the fan-selected side suffered a 2–0 defeat.
Mngqithi, who was appointed head coach of the Carling All Stars, previously worked closely with both players during his time at Sundowns, serving as both assistant and head coach.
Allende joined the Brazilians at the start of the 2022/23 season, signing from Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay, while Sales arrived during the July 2024 off-season, at a time when Mngqithi was in charge.
The Brazilian forward signed from Belgian club Lommel SK, where he scored 10 goals and registered two assists in 24 appearances in the Belgian Challenger Pro League.
Under Mngqithi’s leadership as sole head coach, Sales and Allende played key roles in helping Sundowns reach the Carling Knockout final last season, although the team eventually lost to Magesi FC.
Mngqithi’s tenure at Sundowns came to an end in December 2024, following his dismissal by the club. However, the Carling All Stars reunion proved to be a welcome moment for the experienced coach, who expressed admiration for the duo’s continued growth and maturity as players.
“Those are the top players, and Marcelo is probably one of the best midfielders in the country,” Mngqithi said.
“I think many people don’t know that he’s one of the best midfielders in the country because he hardly spends time on the ball; he’s always where he’s supposed to be.
“I think the experience of working with him in particular will always tell you how good the boy is.
“As for Sales, I’ve always said that I don’t think he is a striker, but he is a very creative offensive player.
“In that position, he creates a lot of assists, he’s always painful to the opponents, and I was very excited to see them again, and we reconnected again because they’re my boys.”
