BETWAY PREMIERSHIP LAUNCH | Mngqithi eyes explosive start with revamped Arrows squad

Manqoba Mngqithi is banking on speed, energy, and a younger Golden Arrows outfit to power the club into a bold new era, as the veteran coach prepares for his first full season in his third stint in charge of Abafana Bes’thende.

After narrowly missing out on the top eight last term, Arrows have undergone a sweeping transformation, with Mngqithi taking a surgical approach to lowering the average age of the squad and raising the ambition.

The Durban-based side kick off their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign with a tricky away clash against newcomers Siwelele FC on Saturday at 8pm. 

It’s a fixture Mngqithi sees as the perfect stage to unleash his new-look squad.

“It will be nice to have a good start to the season because we have a lot of youngsters with the hopes of improving our average age,” said the 53-year-old tactician.

“Our team was very old and no wonder we had a lot of unnecessary injuries (last season), we are hoping to have a team that’s more energetic and more interesting in terms of play.”

He added that while Arrows have historically leaned on experience, the new generation brings a fresh dynamic that he hopes will result in a more entertaining and resilient side.

“This is a totally different team in profile and personnel so I’m just eager to see everything come together now.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor — who famously led Arrows to MTN8 glory in 2009 — is no stranger to building under pressure. 

But he admitted that unlike that championship run, this time pre-season results have given him reason to be optimistic.

“I remember when I won the MTN8 with Arrows, I didn’t win a single game in pre-season but this time we’ve had a good pre-season so I’m upbeat about the new season.”

Mngqithi’s appointment raised expectations at Arrows, with supporters hopeful the club can now aim higher than mid-table mediocrity. 

The coach himself has made no secret of his long-term goals — including competing for silverware.

Yet, even with a proven CV, Mngqithi knows it will take more than tactical tweaks to get his youthful squad dreaming big.

“I wish I get into their heads because honestly speaking, it’s one of the things I’d like to achieve with an unfancied group of players,” he said.

“But for that to happen, it requires consistency and a bigger squad which we’re not privileged to have but I’m hoping this squad grows and in a few seasons does become a squad capable of achieving that (winning the league).”

Arrows might not be among the early title favourites, but with Mngqithi at the helm and a crop of hungry young players eager to impress, few teams will underestimate them this season. The mission begins under the lights on Saturday.