Ncikazi says Orlando Pirates exit was driven by desire for a new challenge

Mandla Ncikazi says he left Orlando Pirates because he believed he had accomplished everything possible with the club and wanted to return to leading a team.

The 57-year-old has rejoined Golden Arrows as head coach, taking charge of the club in his first match since ending a five-year association with Orlando Pirates during the Betway Premiership Durban derby against AmaZulu at Princess Magogo Stadium.

Ncikazi was part of the Orlando Pirates technical team that won nine trophies. He joined the Soweto giants from Golden Arrows in 2021 and worked mainly as assistant coach, although he briefly served as co-coach in 2025.

His departure followed an absence from the Pirates bench during the opening stages of the campaign. The club confirmed that Ncikazi had undergone knee surgery.

However, the experienced coach says his decision was not solely related to his time away from the touchline. He wanted to test himself in a different environment and work with younger players again.

“I thought, with gratitude, where I’m coming from, I think I achieved everything as a coach. I’m grateful to the big institution and all the memories,” Ncikazi said.

“I thank the supporters for sharing such memories with them. Then, your next phase, after you have won everything… now, as a coach, maybe (go for) a different challenge. Let me go back, work with young players, challenge myself.

“I don’t want to retire as a coach, not having the stress that I have today. I thought it was an opportunity for me when Arrows gave me the opportunity. I said the club is still very close to my heart.”

Return to Golden Arrows

Ncikazi’s appointment marks a return to a club where he previously achieved the highest league position in its history. He guided Golden Arrows to fourth place in the 2020/21 league campaign.

That previous success remained an important part of the attraction for the coach, who believes he can build on the work completed during his earlier spell.

“The highest position that Arrows ever achieved was in my presence, maybe that craving was still there,” he added.

The new Arrows head coach is also aware that he has little time to introduce his methods. A demanding schedule means the team must prepare for matches while he works on tactical improvements.

“Now we have a challenge right now. At the time when I started, I had the time. Right now, there’s not too much time. We have another game today. So we want to train certain aspects, but we are playing games. But that’s the responsibility of a coach,” he said.

Ncikazi’s immediate task is to improve Golden Arrows’ fortunes and provide stability at a club he knows well, as he begins the next phase of his coaching career.