Manqoba Mngqithi says he’s grateful to be handed the opportunity to return to Golden Arrows as head coach.
The experienced mentor twice previously coached Abafana Bes’thende, winning the MTN8 in 2009/10, and either side of stints with AmaZulu and Chippa United.
He then spent a number of years with Mamelodi Sundowns, as an assistant, caretaker, co-coach, first team coach and ultimately head coach, before his sacking last season.
Despite considering a career outside of South Africa, Mngqithi explains he felt obliged to consider a return to his former team, after a short break.
He told iDiski Times: “Initially, I had honestly wanted time off because I felt it was important to give myself enough break given that for the past 11 to 12 years, I never had a break.
“Sundowns was very intense, and I felt if I could get at least two months of rest, I’d be okay. In fact, I even moved away from Jo’burg; I even moved away from my house in Durban and went straight to the village because I just wanted to be away from everything, and I think that really brought the right energy back to want to help.
“And at a time when I was already targeting to make a move, with a few options outside the country, then Sisi [sister] came knocking. And when Sis’ Mato [Madlala] asks for me, she knows I always give Golden Arrows that fair chance.”
Mngqithi added: “I am extremely grateful for what Golden Arrows did for me.
“I don’t think anybody would have taken the risk that they took when they gave me an opportunity of a lifetime to become a head coach.
“And based on that, I always have those feelings of gratitude towards Sis’ Mato and her late brother, Rocky. She came calling, and even though there were things we were working on with my agent, I said, ‘Hold on, let me first help Sis’ Mato,’ because I would not feel right if something wrong happened to Arrows when I could have assisted. And that is how this move happened.”