Mandla Ncikazi aims to revive Golden Arrows after taking charge

Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi says he is confident the club can improve as he begins his second spell in charge.

Ncikazi replaced Pitso Dladla this week and faces an immediate test, with Golden Arrows hosting Chippa United in a Carling Knockout Last 16 match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

The coach said he was grateful to chairlady Mato Madlala for turning to him after the club decided to make a change.

“I’m grateful to our chairlady (Mato Madlala) for thinking about my name when she needed a coach,” Ncikazi told the club’s media team.

He has also promised to focus on improving the team’s performances, while acknowledging that his return comes at an early stage of the season.

“I’ll do my best to try and improve the product; I’m confident that it will be better than what we were yesterday,” he said.

Ncikazi said his initial work with Golden Arrows’ young players had already given him encouragement. He believes their attitude towards learning and adapting can help the team make progress.

“It’s still early days, and while working with the young players, I see their willingness and willpower to learn,” he said.

“You can see they want to learn; they want to try some new things, which gives hope. I’m confident that with this attitude we’re going to do better; you can’t overpromise and underperform,” added Ncikazi.

The coach previously guided Golden Arrows and is now hoping to restore the positive atmosphere associated with his earlier time at the club. He called on supporters to stand behind the younger members of the squad as they attempt to develop into a stronger side.

“It’s good to be back,” said Ncikazi. “We hope we’re going to bring back the happiness that we brought some years ago.”

He urged the club’s supporters to attend matches and encourage the team, saying their backing could play an important role in the players’ progress.

“Let them come and support the youngsters,” he said. “This team has the potential of being a very good product, with their support that is going to be successful.”