Ncikazi opens up on Golden Arrows return, says club ‘is is till close to my heart’
Newly appointed Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has spoken candidly about his decision to return to the club five years after previously guiding them to their highest-ever finish of fourth place in the Beway Premiership.
Speaking after Arrows’ 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu in the Ethekwini Derby, Ncikazi reflected on his time at Orlando Pirates and explained why he felt the time was right to take on a fresh challenge with Abafana Bes’thende.
“I think I achieved everything as a coach, and I’m grateful to the big institution [Orlando Pirates] and all the memories,” Ncikazi said. “I thank the supporters for sharing such memories with them.”
Ncikazi revealed that after success at a major club, he wanted a different kind of test — one that involved working with younger players and rediscovering the day-to-day pressure of building a side.
“Your next phase after you have won everything as a coach may be a different challenge. Let me go back, work with young players, challenge myself.
“I don’t want to retire as a coach having not again having the stress that I have today,” he explained.
He added that the opportunity at Arrows felt personal. “When Arrows gave me the opportunity, I said the club is still very close to my heart.
“The highest position that Arrows ever achieved was in my presence. We broke almost lots of records. Maybe that crave was still there.”
Despite the sentimental return, Ncikazi was frank about the work ahead. He expressed concern over Arrows’ lack of creativity and goals, noting that the first half against AmaZulu highlighted why the side is currently struggling.
“I’m concerned about us being so less creative in the opponent’s half, scoring so much less goals. But I also saw with my eyes today, first half, why we are where we are,” he said.
With another fixture just days away, the coach acknowledged the difficulty of implementing ideas under a congested schedule. “Right now there’s not too much time. You have another game on Tuesday… but that’s the responsibility of a coach — you must find a way.”
Ncikazi’s return marks a full-circle moment for the experienced coach, who previously took Golden Arrows to unprecedented heights. He now faces the task of restoring that spark as Arrows look to climb the Betway Premiership table.
