Mngqithi: I Have A Lot Of Respect For Arrows
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed profound respect for his former club, Golden Arrows, as the two teams prepare to face off in the Carling Black Label Cup at Lucas Moripe Stadium this weekend.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Golden Arrows; they are an extension of my family because they are the ones who allowed me to coach at the highest level,” Mngqithi said, speaking with visible emotion.
“I will always feel indebted to them because they contributed so much in my life, in my family. But be that as it may, we have a responsibility to play a very crucial match.”
Sundowns, who have dominated the Betway Premiership with seven consecutive league titles, are seeking to snap a two-season drought in domestic cup competitions. Despite their dominance, the Brazilians have been unable to lift any local knockout trophies, adding pressure ahead of this cup fixture.
Arrows, however, have been far from pushovers. Mngqithi, who guided Arrows to their historic MTN8 triumph during his tenure, knows all too well the dangers posed by his former side.
While they’ve had inconsistent performances this season, they remain a team that thrives on transitional play—a threat Mngqithi is preparing his side to neutralize.
“They may not have had consistent performances just like us, but they are still a very dangerous team on transitions. They’ve had some really good performances this year against Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune, and Marumo Gallants,” Mngqithi warned.
“They were unfortunate against Magesi.”
Highlighting key players, the Sundowns coach expressed his admiration for Arrows’ attacking potential, particularly their core players. “They have very influential players in Sibiya (Nduduzo), Masuku (Menzi), and of course Knox Mutizwa, who is evergreen in that team. They’ve got Cele (Sbonelo) at left-back, who is always looking to create possibilities going forward. They’ve brought back Zuke (Thabani) in their defense and Shitolo (Gladwin), whom I think is doing very well at the moment.”
Reflecting on their previous encounter, Mngqithi was quick to remind fans of how dangerous Arrows can be. “Last season, we played a draw in Durban, and they were very dangerous. [They] are a team that can hurt you.”
The clash promises to be a tactical battle, with Mngqithi hinting at the importance of containing Arrows’ counter-attacking play. “It’s a complex game… I see a lot of transitions, and that’s what we should try our best to contain. Probably, with better counter-pressures, with better rest defense, and better general organization behind the ball, I think we will do better.”
Arrows have won two of their first four matches this season, while Sundowns remain unbeaten, cruising through their fixtures, including a high-profile victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
However, this upcoming cup tie is more than just another match—it’s about pride, legacy, and for Mngqithi, a sentimental journey back to where it all started.
