Ncikazi calls for quick fixes as Arrows suffer back-to-back defeats

Mandla Ncikazi says Lamontville Golden Arrows have been denied the preparation time needed to correct their weaknesses after his second successive defeat since returning to the club.

The 57-year-old coach officially began his second spell with Abafana Bes’thende on 22 October 2026, following his high-profile departure from Orlando Pirates. His return began with a 4-0 victory over Chippa United in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 on 24 October.

That emphatic result was followed by a 1-0 loss to local rivals AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership KwaZulu-Natal derby on 31 October. Arrows then suffered another 1-0 defeat, this time against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals on 3 November.

Ncikazi has now overseen three matches since taking charge in Durban and believes the congested schedule has made it difficult to work sufficiently on the team’s tactical shortcomings.

With little time between fixtures, the coach has been forced to make adjustments during matches rather than resolve problems on the training ground.

“There are two ways to choose; you have to be box smart against Sundowns, does your quality allow you to go 50/50? Where can you benefit? We got the spaces, but the final passes [were lacking],” he said.

“We changed the way we pressed, formation, based on the personnel we brought on, we had some half chances, but we’re not clinical as them.

“They scored from their half-chance, but no ifs and buts, we go home, try and make the team better, that’s why we are coaches.”

Sundowns’ narrow win leaves Arrows facing a difficult challenge in their next Betway Premiership fixture, when they travel to meet Orlando Pirates on Saturday, 28 November 2026.

The match will see Ncikazi return to face the club he left before taking up his second spell at Arrows. His immediate focus, however, is finding a way to improve a side that has followed its commanding cup victory with two consecutive defeats.

Ncikazi’s return to Lamontville Golden Arrows was confirmed on 22 October 2026, and his opening three matches have included one victory and two losses. The latest defeat ended the club’s Carling Knockout campaign in the quarter-finals.