Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has drawn a glowing comparison between club captain Ayanda Jiyane and former Orlando Pirates stalwart Siyabonga Sangweni.
Jiyane has been amongst the top performers for the KZN-based side in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, forming an integral part of Mngqithi’s plans.
The talented centre-back quickly established himself as a reliable defender at Arrows, having signed from the now-defunct Royal AM, which lost its top-flight status after being expelled as a club member for failing to meet its financial obligations, including paying players’ salaries.
After the expulsion of Royal AM, Arrows moved swiftly to snap up Jiyane on a free transfer to beef up their defence. Abafana Bes’thende signed many other players from Thwihli Thwahla, such as Thabo Matlaba, Ayabulela Maxwele, Xolani Ngcobo, and Sabelo Sithole.
Since the start of the current campaign, Jiyane has been a regular starter at Arrows under Mngqithi, delivering impressive defensive performances while playing out from the back.
As a result, Mngqithi has placed immense faith in Jiyane after handing him the captain’s armband at the start of the current campaign. The defender has repaid that trust, making 30 appearances across all competitions for Abafana Bes’thende, chipping in with a goal.
MNGQITHI: WHY ARROWS CAPTAIN JIYANE REMINDS ME OF SIYABONGA SANGWENI
Following a string of commanding performances while leading from the back, the 23-year-old defender has earned high praise from Mngqithi. The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor noted that Jiyane’s ability to defend one-on-ones and aerial balls reminds him of retired Pirates centre-back Sangweni.
“I think Jiyane has been very instrumental in our team; he has worked his way up and forced himself into the starting 11. He also forced himself into the captaincy because he’s probably one of our most regular players,” Mngqithi said.
“I don’t think he has missed any match; he’s a very good boy that you’ll always wish him the best because I don’t think I’ve ever had an issue with him as a person. He’s one of the best boys I’ve worked with, and a lot of people would say he’s short for a centre-back, but he has won balls against all the tallest strikers.
“He’s one of the best on one against one, he reminds me of Siyabonga Sangweni, he’s very energetic and quick for the type of football we play because we are aggressive, and we are a team that wants to be in the opposition’s half. I’m so happy for this boy, and I wish I could still be part of the process of his growth.
“I look at players like [Fabio] Cannavaro, and [Carles] Puyol, they played for their national team with that stature, and they won trophies and the [FIFA] World Cup, but in South Africa we’d rather go for a tall, clumsy player.
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