South Africa club Golden Arrows appoint Pitso Dladla as new head coach

South African outfit Golden Arrows have confirmed the appointment of Pitso Dladla as their new head coach ahead of the upcoming football season.

Dladla replaces Manqoba Mngqithi signaling a new chapter for the club ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 football campaign.

“We welcome Head Coach Pitso Dladla to the club. Sthende Nation welcomes you,” wrote the club welcoming the coach to the club.

The development forms part of a surprising coaching shuffle in the province, with several clubs making major technical changes in quick succession as they prepare for a highly competitive campaign.

Dladla arrives at Arrows after an impressive spell with Durban City, where he enjoyed a strong run that saw him guide the team to a Nedbank Cup triumph and secure qualification for CAF inter-club competition. His success with Durban City had earned him widespread praise, making his departure all the more unexpected given the momentum he had built at the club.

His exit from Durban City has paved the way for former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who is now expected to take over the technical leadership of the club as they prepare for both domestic and continental commitments.

At Arrows, Dladla replaces Manqoba Mngqithi, a respected figure in South African football who also enjoyed a solid campaign with the club in the Betway Premiership last season, stabilising performances and helping maintain competitiveness in a challenging league environment.

The back-and-forth movement of high-profile coaches between KwaZulu-Natal sides has raised eyebrows among supporters, with many describing the situation as an unusual but fascinating coaching merry-go-round. The rapid changes highlight both the ambition of the clubs involved and the increasing pressure to deliver immediate results in South African football.

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly Dladla adapts to his new environment at Golden Arrows, while Durban City begin a fresh era under Khalil Ben Youssef following a successful but short-lived chapter under their former coach.