Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has expressed interest in joining Golden Arrows, a club that holds deep significance for him.

Mngqithi values Arrows for providing him with a crucial opportunity during a transformative period in his career. The club’s confidence in his leadership led to considerable achievements.

When he took charge as Arrows’ coach in January 2007, Mngqithi inherited a team that was languishing at the bottom of the league table. He quickly restored stability, securing a victory against Thanda Royal Zulu in his debut match.

During his time at Arrows, he managed to win seven out of the 14 games, including remarkable victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits. The team’s strong performance, with wins against Jomo Cosmos and Benoni Premier United, enabled them to finish 12th in the league.

The following seasons saw continued improvement, with Arrows finishing ninth and then fifth in the standings. However, the 2009/10 season was particularly magical under Mngqithi’s guidance. They celebrated a stunning 6-0 victory against Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final at Orlando Stadium, thrilling fans with an attacking style that left their opponents bewildered.

This match remains the highest scoreline in a domestic cup final in PSL history.

“I will always be ready to support Arrows throughout my life because I feel a strong sense of gratitude to that club, which has significantly influenced who I am today,” Mngqithi shared on MSW with Robert Marawa after his recent departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

“They believed in me when no other South African team would. When the team was at the bottom with just 12 points from 15 matches, they entrusted me to be their head coach, confident that I could turn things around.”

“That kind of faith is invaluable, especially since they risked a significant amount (R15 million at the time) by hiring a coach without PSL experience.”

“Having served as an assistant coach for over a year and a half, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity they provided. I am open to assisting whenever I can, but I need to evaluate the project offered to me.”

When asked about possible interest from Arrows, Mngqithi remained discreet, stating, “I wouldn’t want to disclose what’s currently taking place.”

Golden Arrows, currently sixth in the league, recently parted ways with co-coach Mabhuti Khenyeza due to dissatisfaction over interference in his position.