ADMITTING that he was helped more by his deeper understanding of his former side Mamelodi Sundowns as he led Lamontville Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw against the gallant Betway Premiership log leaders, was a fair response from Manqoba Mngqithi after his Wednesday homecoming.
Mngqithi, who was fired by Mamelodi Sundowns in December, this week made a return to Arrows for his third stint with the club.
As coincidence would have it, his first game back in the Durban side's dugout would be against Sundowns whom he joined in 2014 staying there for 10 years until December 2024.
“It has happened a lot for me (to start a new chapter at another club by facing his former club), I don’t know why but it happens like that. I remember when I came back from Chippa (United), my first game was against Chipp with Golden Arrows. But I wouldn’t really say too much about that, honestly I think it is just a coincidence,” reflected Mngqithi.
STATEMENT REGARDING THE THUGGISH BEHAVIOUR FROM SAFA MATCH OFFICIALS IN OUR GAME AGAINST MATO MADLA'S TEAM
It's so heartbreaking to witness what Mamelodi Sundowns is going through this season, while Orlando Pirates continues to benefit from match officials in almost 70% of their… pic.twitter.com/LSDOSd7gCw
His first result was a positive one holding Sundowns to a one all draw at Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Wednesday night.
What makes this result positive for Mngqithi and Arrows is that the Brazilians smashed four unanswered goals against the very same Abafana Bes’thende last month in Tshwane.
“I think I was helped more by that (playing against a Sundowns team he knows inside-out) because I’ve also played a lot of games against Golden Arrows when I was still at Sundowns,” admitted Mngqithi as he revealed to only having two training sessions since his appointment.
“I was the one preparing that when we play Arrows we would be in a better space and organisation because I know most of these kids.
“But I was particularly impressed with the attitude and the mentality from the very training sessions. We only had two sessions. The first session was mainly for the players that never really played and the second session was yesterday (on Tuesday), where after a lot of talks about organisation and showing them videos of what to expect, I think they adapted very quickly to the new system because they have not been playing in the 4-3-3 formation.
“I was so impressed to see them adapt so quickly and really try to stamp their authority.”
It's so heartbreaking to see our coach like this because of @SAFA_net referees who won't even be punished for what they did tonight against Mamelodi Sundowns 💔 pic.twitter.com/ANDvtAFg45
— Sundowns Online Branch (@MSFC__) March 5, 2025
The match was not short of drama as Sundowns scored three more disallowed goals; two flagged for fouls in the build-up play and one due to an offiside call by referee Tshidiso Mkwanazi and his officiating team.
Mngqithi, though, feels they too could’ve also won it.
“We created some chances in which we could’ve clearly scored and won. They also got some good opportunities and Watenga (goalkeeper Isima) also helped us. Overall I was very impressed with the mentality. The team really showed that they want to play, they want to win matches here at home,” said Mngqithi.
With 21 points after 17 games, Arrows have a lot of ground to cover to make the Top8 finish, which is the last remaining achievement they realistically chase for this season.
“They are a very good team but there are positions which I think we need to consolidate but they (Arrows) don’t deserve to be in the position they are in currently,” Mngqithi said.
“There were moments where in transition we looked really good and there were moments where we had to suffer to help the team to not concede and we suffered.
“For me that is an overall performance that you want to get from the team that wants to get out of the position they are in.”