Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has shared his thoughts following his side’s impressive 1-1 draw against his former team, Mamelodi Sundowns, on Wednesday evening.
The match, played at Mpumalanga Stadium, saw Golden Arrows earn a valuable point against the league leaders in a hard-fought contest. This result was particularly significant for Mngqithi, as it marked his first game in charge of Arrows after leaving Sundowns in December.
Arrows started the match strongly, controlling the early stages with confidence. Within the first ten minutes, they created four clear-cut chances, with Gladwin Shitolo and Olwethu Ncube both failing to convert early opportunities. Ryan Moon also had a shot saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, as the home side demonstrated attacking intent.
Read: Mngqithi comes back to haunt Sundowns as Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways
Despite Sundowns’ dominance in possession, Arrows held their own and eventually put an end to Sundowns’ five-match winning streak. Mngqithi’s tactics were effective in stifling the attacking threat of his former team, earning a commendable draw that halted Sundowns’ perfect run.
While Golden Arrows extended their winless streak to six matches, the draw against Sundowns was a significant achievement for Mngqithi and his team. After the match, Mngqithi expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance but also noted missed opportunities that could have seen his team come away with all three points.
“I would not be too sure whether a draw is a true reflection of the game,” he told SuperSport TV during his post-match interview.
“The only thing I know is we showed up, we gave our best shot. We got some nice breaks at the end which could’ve decided the result.
“But unfortunately the decision-making, the technique and all those things [let us down].
He went on to praise the overall performance of his team, emphasizing their competitive spirit and the quality of the game for the spectators.
“To be honest, I think we gave a very good contest to the spectators. I’m sure the supporters enjoyed a game good of football and for me that’s what matters the most.”
Despite the draw, Sundowns remain firmly at the top of the Premier League with 55 points from 21 matches, but their lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates has now reduced to 16 points. Golden Arrows, meanwhile, remain in 11th place with 21 points from 17 games, continuing to search for a much-needed victory in the coming fixtures.
Mngqithi will have a few days to prepare before his next Betway Premiership clash against Polokwane City next week. Kick off at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium is set for 19:30 on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.