Ndlovu says Mngqithi’s style made Sundowns move easier

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu says the football he learned under Manqoba Mngqithi at Golden Arrows helped him settle quickly at the Brazilians.

Ndlovu joined Sundowns after establishing himself as an impressive performer at Golden Arrows, where he worked under Mngqithi. The winger believes that experience meant he already understood many of the principles used by his new club.

Rather than having to adapt to an entirely different approach, Ndlovu found similarities between the football played at Golden Arrows during Mngqithi’s time there and the style demanded at Sundowns.

“I think the type of football they play is the football I had played so much at Golden Arrows under coach Manqoba,” said Ndlovu on Ukhozi FM.

“So, when I arrived there, it wasn’t difficult because it’s almost the same as what I was playing at Arrows and I could click with other players.”

Ndlovu said the familiarity with that style allowed him to build an understanding with his new team-mates without facing a prolonged adjustment period. He believes the foundations developed at Golden Arrows prepared him for the expectations at Sundowns and helped him feel comfortable within the team.

The winger also reflected on the influence Mngqithi had on him and his teammates during their time together at Golden Arrows. While Mngqithi was the coach, Ndlovu said his support extended well beyond tactical and technical matters.

He described Mngqithi as a father figure, saying the coach took time to guide the players away from the pitch as well as preparing them for matches.

“Coach Manqoba was beyond being a coach, he was a father also,” he added.

“So, in a lot of things he guided us. He would deal with us outside before we got into the field.”

For Ndlovu, that relationship was an important part of the support he received during their shared spell at Golden Arrows. The winger suggested that Mngqithi’s personal guidance helped him develop before he moved on to Sundowns.

His comments underline the role Mngqithi’s footballing philosophy played in his transition between the two clubs. Ndlovu arrived at Sundowns with experience of a similar approach, allowing him to connect with the team’s other players and adapt to the Brazilians’ style more naturally.

The remarks come alongside other Sundowns-related coverage, including Cardoso’s thoughts on Van Rooyen’s arrival. A separate report also carries the headline “‘I Came To Join Pirates But…’” in relation to Ndlovu.

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