Newly appointed Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has explained why he decided to return to Abafana Bes'thende, five years after leading the club to its best-ever league finish.

Ncikazi made the revelations following Arrows' 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu in the eThekwini Derby, reflecting on his departure from Orlando Pirates and his decision to embrace a new challenge at a club he considers special.

The experienced coach expressed gratitude to Orlando Pirates, describing his time at the Soweto giants as an important chapter in his coaching career.

"I think I achieved everything as a coach, and I'm grateful to the big institution [Orlando Pirates] and all the memories," Ncikazi said, while thanking the club's supporters for sharing those experiences with him.

However, he explained that returning to a smaller club environment offered a different challenge, particularly the opportunity to work with younger players and experience the daily demands of rebuilding a competitive team.

"Your next phase after you have won everything as a coach may be a different challenge. Let me go back, work with young players, challenge myself. I don't want to retire as a coach having not again having the stress that I have today," he explained.

Ncikazi also admitted that his emotional connection with Golden Arrows played a significant role in his decision.

"When Arrows gave me the opportunity, I said the club is still very close to my heart. The highest position that Arrows ever achieved was in my presence. We broke almost lots of records. Maybe that crave was still there," he said.

During his previous spell, Ncikazi guided Arrows to fourth place in the Premiership, the highest league finish in the club's history.

Despite the excitement surrounding his return, the coach acknowledged that significant work lies ahead.

He expressed concern about the team's lack of creativity in the opposition's half and its struggles to find the back of the net. He also admitted that the first half against AmaZulu demonstrated some of the reasons behind the club's current difficulties.

With another fixture against Tuesday's opponents on the schedule, Ncikazi acknowledged that the congested football calendar leaves him with limited time to implement his ideas.

Nevertheless, he insisted that finding solutions remains part of his responsibility as head coach.

His return represents an opportunity to revisit the success he previously enjoyed at Golden Arrows, but the immediate challenge is to improve performances, restore confidence and move the club up the Betway Premiership standings.

Source;https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2117183096743162172