Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed disappointment over a failed objective with the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season having ended.
Mngqithi was speaking after their 1-1 draw against SuperSport United on Thursday at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, a mere completion of 45 minutes from a game that had been postponed back in February.
Abafana Bes’thende concluded their season in 12th place on the league standings, having accumulated 31 points from 28 matches.
Mngqithi was not pleased as his troops were unable to break into the top eight. Achieving the top-half finish would have required a challenging five-goal margin victory over the Swanky Boys in their final fixture.
MNGQITHI SAYS HE WANTED TO FINISH WITHIN TOP EIGHT
“I don’t want to lie to you, I wanted to be in the top eight, I can’t lie now that I didn’t make it and say, ‘I’m happy because I will have a much longer pre-season to prepare the team’,” said Mngqithi.
“I wanted to be in the top eight, and I came to this match still with those hopes that if we could get an early goal, maybe the game could open up a little bit more, and it could give us something. But I knew we had to score five goals which was very stiff but when it’s still mathematically possible, I always believe you must try.”
On the other hand, Mngqithi expressed his delight with the improvements his side has demonstrated since he began his third stint with the KZN side.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI DELIGHTED WITH ARROWS’ IMPROVEMENTS
“There are a lot of positives, we have improved in a lot of metrics, from our build-ups, we have really done well, the consolidation phase, we have done well, our high press and counter pressures are also very good,” Mngqithi added.
“But we still struggle with our finishing and manufacturing, as many chances as possible. We do in some moments, but we still find ourselves struggling where teams are putting a low-block because we are not used to that.
“But I think the team has done very well. In all the matches that we played, only one match we deserved to lose and that was [Orlando] Pirates away, I think in that one, we didn’t pitch the way I wanted the team to.”
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