Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi is fighting a battle off the pitch, cautioning his high-flying squad against complacency and ‘big-headedness’ ahead of their crucial Carling Knockout Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Under Mngqithi’s leadership, Arrows have enjoyed an impressive start to the current PSL campaign. His re-appointment has immediately sparked a noticeable improvement in the team’s performance, a turnaround now culminating in their first cup semi-final appearance during his third stint at the club.
The team’s resurgence isn’t limited to the field. Their success has brought increased attention and a growing presence on social media, boosting player visibility and fan engagement.
Mngqithi, however, expressed concern over the potential pitfalls of this newfound attention. While acknowledging that players’ online activity is largely beyond his control, he continues to offer guidance to ensure they maintain a focused mindset.
“I always try not to focus on what I can’t control and focus on what I can control. So, I always try to advise my players about the little things that might cause them a problem,” he said.
MNGQITHI CAUTIONS ARROWS SQUAD: DON’T TALK FINAL BEFORE YOU’VE PLAYED IT
The Arrows’ gaffer elaborated by pointing to a recent trend: players prematurely discussing the Carling Cup final.
“To give an example, when players start to talk about the final when we have not played the final, that is a problem for me. It means now you are getting ahead of yourself, and you will be disappointed if you don’t get there,” Mngqithi asserted.
“But rather if you give your everything to make sure that you are able to arrive at the final, then you can talk about the final because you are in the final.”
As Arrows hit a spectacular stride—notably remaining the only team to have beaten reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in open play this season—the confidence within the camp has understandably surged. However, Mngqithi cautioned that the intense hype surrounding the team has caused some players to become overly confident and ‘big headed’.
The seasoned tactician maintained that this is an attitude that must be urgently addressed.
“It’s the small successes that they have had of winning a league match. Because some of them have never tasted this thing. Even winning back-to-back matches is something they are not accustomed to,” Mngqithi said, highlighting that even minor achievements are feeding the ego.
“So, it’s very important now to try and clamp down on the big heads that we are starting to see so that they focus on the job at hand.”
Mngqithi’s primary task is to strike the perfect balance between high confidence and a level-headed attitude. Arrows clash with Marumo Gallants this afternoon in the Carling Knockout semi-final.
Kick off is scheduled for 15:00 at the King Zwelithini Stadium.