Mandla Ncikazi has returned home to KwaZulu Natal after a five-year chapter with Orlando Pirates. He is back as a head coach at Golden Arrows, since leaving in 2021.

NCIKAZI EXPLAINS ORLANDO PIRATES EXIT

According Ncikazi, his new responsibility is an opportunity to test himself again. He says he is relishing the opportunity to work with the raw talent at Arrows.

“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 told journalists.

The experienced coach revealed that his decision was influenced by the opportunity to return to a club where he previously enjoyed considerable success.

“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,” he added.

“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.

Ncikazi also reflected on his previous achievements at Golden Arrows, where he believes he helped take the club to new heights.

“The highest position that Arrows ever achieved was in my presence. We broke almost lots of records, maybe that crave was still there.”

GOLDEN ARROWS COACH FACES IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE

However, Ncikazi has little time to settle into his new role. Golden Arrows have a demanding fixture schedule, leaving limited opportunities to work on the tactical and technical improvements he wants to introduce.

He acknowledged that the circumstances are different from his first spell at the club, when he had more time to implement his ideas.

“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 on Tuesday.

“So we want to train certain aspects, but we are playing games. But that’s the responsibility of a coach,” the former Orlando Pirates tactician concluded.