“The Sooner I Forget, The Better”: Madidilane Speaks Out After Arrows Exit
James Madidilane has admitted that his sacking as Lamontville Golden Arrows assistant coach was strange after spending just 43 days at the Durban-based club, revealing that management holds the true answers behind his abrupt departure.
However, Madidilane expressed a desire to move on from what he described as a learning curve, emphasizing that putting his brief stint at Abafana Bes’thende behind him is vital for his well-being.
“The management of the club knows why I left,” Madidilane told Sportswire.
“There is nothing else I can say or do. This is simply a learning curve for me.”
Madidilane, who was a standout right-back during his playing days at Bloemfontein Celtic, joined Arrows during the off-season as part of Pitso Dladla’s technical team following the departure of Manqoba Mngqithi.
Appointed alongside goalkeeper coach Jacob Mokhasi, Madidilane has since been replaced by Ashley Makhanya, who was on the bench when Arrows stunned Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 quarter-finals at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Abafana Bes’thende will now face Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged MTN8 semi-finals, with venue and fixture details set to be confirmed by the PSL.
“My job was to carry out my assistant coaching duties, which I believe I did. As for everything else, I don’t know what happened. They are the ones with the answers,” Madidilane continued.
Madidilane—who etched his name into South African football history by assisting Rotson Kilambe’s winning goal for Bloemfontein Celtic against SuperSport United in the 2005 SAA Supa 8 final—remains optimistic about his career trajectory.
Having previously lifted three league titles with Bantu FC in Lesotho, the tactician was eager to establish himself in the Betway Premiership.
“If this was not my time, I will get another opportunity; I shouldn’t be disappointed. Things happen for a reason,” he noted. “The only person who can explain this is the chairman. I have accepted the outcome, and life moves on. I don’t mind waiting because I know I will get another chance to deliver elsewhere. The sooner I forget about this, the better. I won’t be calling him, and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Arrows have been given time to respond, but they have refused.
