Mandela Ntsikazi has once again taken charge of the Lamontville Golden Arrows team, accepting the position of head coach. This move resulted from the club's decision to part ways with Pitso Dladla, leading to the return of a familiar face to the team's management.
Golden Arrows announced Ntsikazi's appointment via their social media channels on Thursday. He had previously managed the club, guiding it to one of the best seasons in league history. This appointment followed Arrows confirming that they had agreed to terminate Dladla's contract immediately.
The change in leadership occurred against the backdrop of a difficult start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season. The Abafana Bes’thende team managed only one victory in the first eight league matches.
Significance of Ntsikazi's Return
Ntsikazi's return carries significance beyond just a change of coach. This experienced specialist has long-standing ties with the club, having worked within its structures, including the youth section, for over fifteen years. His previous tenure as head coach was during the 2020/21 season, when he helped Arrows secure fourth place in the league—an achievement important to the KwaZulu-Natal-based team.
After leaving the club in 2021, Ntsikazi moved to Orlando Pirates, where he became part of a successful technical collective and won several trophies. His experience at Pirates brings an additional dimension to his return; for the last five years, he has operated under high pressure, contributing to the success of the Buccaneers as an assistant and briefly as a co-coach.
His return to Arrows also provides him with the opportunity to lead the team in the top division again, at a club whose culture and structures he knows well. The immediate task is now to improve Arrows' results and restore stability in their league campaign. Recent difficulties have raised concerns about the team's attacking power, which has also faced pressure after a series of winless matches.
Ntsikazi must now organize the squad and help the club achieve its seasonal goals. For Arrows, the return of a coach with established ties to the club ensures continuity at a time when results demanded change. For Ntsikazi himself, it is a return to a familiar environment and a chance to build upon the success of his first spell in charge.