Golden Arrows backed to have ‘very good player’ in Athandile Moniso

Golden Arrows have signed a player who could “take the League by storm”, according to Sinenkani chairman Nathi Nqoko.

The KwaZulu-Natal club has completed the transfer of 22-year-old Athandile Moniso from Sinenkani, and Nqoko believes the left-footed defender has the ability and discipline to succeed at the highest level of South African football.

Moniso, known as “Lefty”, is capable of operating at left-back or further forward as a full-back. Nqoko says his versatility, understanding of the game and attacking quality will make him an important addition to Golden Arrows.

“In terms of ‘Lefty’, you can expect quality football from him. A very talented left-footed player who can play as a left-back, can play as a full-back. You can expect a modern left-back. A player who can go forward and come back. A player who is able to read the game. A very committed player. A very disciplined player,” Nqoko told Soccer Laduma.

Nqoko also highlighted Moniso’s consistency since joining Sinenkani two or three years ago, saying the club had never received a complaint about his attitude or performances.

“Ever since he came to the ‘Stubborn Nation’ two or three years ago, not even a single day have I been called as chairman to say, ‘This boy is not doing as expected.’ So a very disciplined player from the rural areas of Lusikisiki (in the Eastern Cape). So you can expect in terms of play for him to be very committed and very aggressive. Quality crosses, quality passes. I mean, good anticipation. Man to man, 100%. So he’s very good. I think Arrowsthey got a very good player. You will see him.”

The transfer represents another success for Sinenkani, who have developed and moved several players into the professional game in recent years.

Nqoko said the club’s progress was particularly significant given its position in the lower divisions of South African football. He added that Sinenkani’s wider ambition was to continue producing players capable of competing at the top level, while also pursuing promotion themselves.

“You know, we are humbled, my brother, as a club, being in the very lower division of South African football. But we are able to produce players to compete at the highest level of South African football,” Nqoko continued.

Moniso is not the first Sinenkani player to make that move. The chairman listed several former players now involved with professional clubs, including Milford, Richards Bay and Durban City, as well as Highbury in the National First Division.

“He is not the first one. I mean, we’ve been producing. I can safely say we have players at Milford, who played for us. Players at Richards Bay. We’ve got players at Durban City. We’ve got players at Highbury in the NFD (National First Division). But we remain humble, my brother. It says the club has a huge potential, even to get promotion. At the end of the day, the vision of the club is to reach the Promised Land,” he added.

Nqoko believes Sinenkani’s record of developing young talent has helped attract more promising players from across the region. He said the club’s reputation now extended beyond the work of its chairman, reflecting the efforts of its coaches, management and supporters.

“That is why now we are being called by so many youngsters. They are calling us, wanting to come and be assessed, and so on. They see the vision. I can safely say Sinenkani is one of the top clubs that are producing youngsters for the Betway Premiership. So it means a lot to the club, the coaches who have been there, the management, and the supporters. Because it’s not only about me as the chairman, it’s about the Sinenkani family.”