Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he is wary of the threat posed by Phuso Dithejane, who has been in outstanding form for TS Galaxy ahead of their winner-takes-all encounter.

Arrows will host Galaxy in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday at 15:00.

The 21-year-old Dithejane has been a standout performer for Galaxy this season, featuring in nine league matches, scoring three goals, and providing two assists.

He was named Betway Premiership Player of the Month for September after a series of exceptional performances that included this season’s first hat-trick against Chippa United and a Man of the Match display.

His exploits saw him edge out tough competition from Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgalwa.

“Dithejane is one of the most promising players in the league at the moment,” said Mngqithi during a media briefing at King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach also highlighted other Galaxy threats, saying:
“Seluleko Mahlambi is doing exceptionally well — you can’t take that away from him. Mpho Mvelase may be one of the older players, but he remains very dangerous.

“Surprisingly, he’s strong in the air despite his size. We just have to focus on what’s in front of us and not dwell on the past, because you can’t change what has already happened. What matters is how we deal with them now.”

Arrows face a Galaxy side that has consistently proven difficult to beat.

Abafana Bes’Thende have not won against Galaxy since May 2021, when they secured a 3-0 victory in Durban — a match played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, Arrows have gone nine matches without a win against Tim Sukazi’s club.

However, Mngqithi insists he does not concern himself with past results, noting that he was not in charge during those encounters.

Galaxy also famously defeated Arrows in the 2018/19 Nedbank Cup semifinal, before going on to make history as the first lower-division side to lift the trophy.

“Sometimes I don’t know if it’s assertiveness or arrogance, but I always prefer to focus on how a team performs against me personally,” Mngqithi explained.

“Not necessarily how they’ve played against the team I’m currently coaching, because my focus is always on the opponent in front of me in that particular match.

“No matter where I am, history can always be rewritten in a single moment. You’re right that Galaxy have been a hoodoo team for Arrows, but they’ve never beaten me since I arrived here, and my focus is on finding a way to beat them and reach the next round.

“They’re not a team that dies easily — they fight hard, and they have players who work tirelessly.”