Manqoba Mngqithi set to return to Golden Arrows after dramatic Sundowns sacking

Manqoba Mngqithi is set to seal a return to KwaZulu-Natal club Golden Arrows following his departure from league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mngqithi was sacked by Sundowns on Tuesday despite starting the Betway Premiership campaign with eight wins from their seven games. The 53-year-old was replaced by Portuguese Miguel Cardoso, who joins the Tshwane giants after being fired by Tunisian outfit Esperance.

Following his Sundowns exit, Mngqithi is set to land back on his feet immediately with The Citizen's Phakaaathi reporting that he will be announced as Golden Arrows' head coach "this week".

This comes after the news that Mabuthi Khenyeza, who was co-coach alongside Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi at Golden Arrows, has decided to walk away from the club.

“Mabhuti was not happy that he was going to be demoted so he left the club. But Mngqithi is coming back to Arrows. The club will make an announcement this week,” the Johannesburg-based publication quoted a source.

Mngqithi was previously in charge of Golden Arrows from 2007 to 2010, and again between 2012 and 2013. In 2009, he guided the club to an MTN8 title, where they hammered Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in the final at Orlando Stadium. He was just 38 years old at the time.

That 6-0 win remains the biggest Cup final winning margin in the history of South African football. During. During the 2008/09 season, he guided the club to a fifth place finish in the league, which was their best until 2020/21 when they were fourth.

Picking up seven points from their last three games, Abafana Bes'thende are currently sixth in the league. Should Mngqithi be appointed as Arrows' new coach, his first assignment in the league will be against KZN rivals Richards Bay, while his grudge match reunion with Sundowns is set for  February 2 next year.

IOL Sport