Mandla Ncikazi: Departed Pirates coach unveiled at PSL club

Golden Arrows have wasted no time in naming Mandla Ncikazi as their new head coach following his departure from Orlando Pirates.

Ncikazi was announced to have left Pirates on Thursday and just an hour later, Arrows confirmed the sacking of Pitso Dladla, who leaves the club just over two months since his hiring as Manqoba Mngqithi’s replacement.

This comes two days after reports stated that Arrows did a performance review for the season and having won just one league match from the first eight, leaving them eighth on the standings with as many points, they opted to sack Dladla.

Arrows confirm Mandla Ncikazi’s return

They then contacted Ncikazi who has agreed to return to the club, five years after leaving them to take up the Pirates job.

WELCOME HOME COACH MANDLA NCIKAZI #goldenarrows #sthendenation #10betgoldenarrows pic.twitter.com/By8Dg6uUwJ

— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) October 22, 2026

“Lomontville Golden Arrows Football Club is delighted to welcome back coach Mandla Ncikazi who returns to Abafana Bes’thende to take the reins as head coach,” Arrows said through a statement.

“A familiar face, a proud son of the club and a man who understands the culture and traditions of the club. The club looks forward to benefiting from his immense knowledge and experience attained over the course of a long and successful career.

When is ex-Pirates coach’s first game?

“We look forward to this new chapter as we unite behind coach Ncikazi and the journey ahead.”

Ncikazi was Arrows coach from 2020 to 2021, after which he left to become head coach at Pirates before he was made assistant to Jose Riveiro in 2022 and continued in the role under Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Arrows, who are eighth on the league standings, will take on Chippa United in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 match on Saturday in what will be Ncikazi’s first game.