Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has opened up about his decision to leave the Soweto giants and return to Golden Arrows after spending five years at the club.

The experienced tactician explained that he felt he had accomplished everything he wanted at Pirates and believed it was the right moment to embrace a fresh challenge in his coaching career.

Ncikazi joined Orlando Pirates from Golden Arrows in 2021 and became an important member of the club's technical team. However, his absence from the Pirates bench during the early stages of the current campaign raised questions among supporters. The club later confirmed that he had undergone knee surgery.

After five years in Soweto, the coach has now returned to Abafana Bes’thende, a club he considers close to his heart. He explained that his departure was not influenced by a lack of appreciation for Orlando Pirates but rather his desire to test himself in a different environment and work with younger players.

Reflecting on his time at the Buccaneers, Ncikazi expressed gratitude to the club for the opportunities and memories he experienced.

He explained that after achieving so much during his spell at Pirates, he felt it was necessary to move into a new phase of his career and challenge himself elsewhere.

The coach also thanked Orlando Pirates supporters for their continued support throughout his time at the club.

Ncikazi further made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from football coaching. Instead, he wants to remain involved in the game and continue experiencing the demands and pressure that come with managing a football team.

He described Golden Arrows as a special club, explaining that his previous achievements with the Durban-based side played an important role in his decision to return.

During his earlier spell at Arrows, Ncikazi helped the club achieve its highest-ever league position and break several records. He admitted that those accomplishments remained special to him and influenced his desire to return.

Meanwhile, the coach faces the responsibility of helping Golden Arrows improve their performances as the season continues. He acknowledged that the current schedule presents challenges because there is limited time to work on specific areas of the team before upcoming matches.

With another fixture approaching on Tuesday, Ncikazi explained that the technical team must balance training sessions with the demands of playing regular matches.

His return to Golden Arrows represents a new chapter in his coaching journey after leaving Orlando Pirates with gratitude for the experiences he gained during his five-year stay.

Source: https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/betway-premiership/ncikazi-why-i-left-pirates-for-arrows-job/