Golden Arrows Sack Coach Pitso Dladla - Pirates Assistant Mandla Ncikazi Takes Charge

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Golden Arrows ended Pitso Dladla's tenure after only one win in eight Betway Premiership matches.
Mandla Ncikazi returns as head coach, having previously led Arrows to a fourth-place finish.
Orlando Pirates backed Ncikazi's decision, expressing gratitude and best wishes for his new role.

Golden Arrows Sack Dladla Pirates Assistant Ncikazi Takes Charge

Mandla Ncikazi leaves Orlando Pirates for Golden Arrows with nine trophies to his name (Getty Images).

Golden Arrows have parted ways with head coach Pitso Dladla with immediate effect, bringing an end to his tenure following a challenging run of results in the Betway Premiership.
Arrows Pull Trigger After Poor Run
Ncikazi Returns to Familiar Surroundings
Pirates Back Ncikazi's Decision

The Durban-based club have appointed former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi as his replacement, welcoming back a familiar face with a proven track record at Abafana Bes’thende.

Arrows Pull Trigger After Poor Run

Dladla’s departure comes after Golden Arrows managed just one victory in their opening eight league matches, collecting eight points to sit eighth on the Premiership table.

Despite a promising start to the campaign and a run to the MTN8 semi-finals, their recent form deteriorated, leaving the club looking for a change in leadership.

Ncikazi Returns to Familiar Surroundings

Mandla Ncikazi returns to a club he knows well, having previously guided Arrows to an impressive fourth-place finish during the 2020/21 season before joining Orlando Pirates in 2021.

During his time with the Buccaneers, he contributed to a successful technical team that collected nine trophies, gaining valuable experience in one of South African football’s most demanding environments.

Pirates Back Ncikazi's Decision

Orlando Pirates confirmed Ncikazi’s departure in a statement on their official website, explaining that he had expressed his desire to lead a team again following discussions with the club’s management.

Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza thanked the coach for his contribution, saying, “Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing,” while wishing him success in his new responsibility.

Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.