Agent reveals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates interest in Manqoba Mngqithi

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Agent reveals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates interest in Manqoba Mngqithi
Manqoba Mngqithi

Prominent agent Mike Makaab has confirmed that Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi was a target of both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Mngqithi joined Golden Arrows for the third time early this year, having been relieved of his duties as Mamelodi Sundowns coach in December 2024, and has been trying to revive the club’s fortunes.

However, he was also among names linked to the Chiefs job after their struggles in the 2023-24 season that had seen them finish 10th in the PSL.

At the time, Mngqithi had been working under Rulani Mokwena as senior coach at Sundowns, a club that he served for close to 10 years, but Nasreddine Nabi was handed the job.

Makaab confirms interest in Mngqithi from Soweto giants

Speaking to SoccerBeat, Makaab said the Soweto giants showed great interest in the 54-year-old before opting to look elsewhere for their coaching solutions.

“Yes there were interest. Of course, he can manage at a big club again, because he already has,” said Makaab.

Manqoba Mngqithi speaking in a pre-match interview
Manqoba Mngqithi

“What interests him most is the right project, not the size of the club. The hallmark of a top-class coach is his ability to succeed at both big and so-called smaller clubs with fewer resources. His knowledge of players in this league, their strengths and weaknesses, is of the highest level,” he added.

Can ex-Sundowns coach make Arrows a force in Mzansi?

It is not known when Pirates showed interest in Mngqithi but there have been two opportunities in recent years, first in 2022, before Jose Riveiro was hired and at the end of the Spanish tactician’s tenure in May 2025 after which current boss Abdeslam Ouaddou was given the job.

Manqoba Mngqithi Golden Arrows
Image – Arrows

Mngqithi has previously admitted interest in him from Chiefs before then explaining how a need to make history with a smaller club led him to return to Arrows in a bid to make the club a force that will compete for titles against the ‘Big Three’ of South African football.

Abafana Bes’thende are currently placed eighth on the PSL standings with 16 points after winning five and losing as many of their first 11 games. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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