Prosport International supremo Mike Makaab has broken his silence regarding the speculation linking Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi with a high-profile move to Kaizer Chiefs for the 2026/27 campaign.
Mngqithi has once again been linked with a move to Chiefs, this time ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season. The club is currently in the process of identifying a permanent successor to Nasreddine Nabi, who unexpectedly parted ways with the Naturena-based outfit in September 2025.
Before leaving the Soweto giants, Nabi snapped Chiefs’ decade-long trophy drought by leading them to the 2025 Nedbank Cup title with a victory over Orlando Pirates last season.
At present, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze are presiding over the first team as co-coaches, having been thrust into the hot seat following the abrupt departure of the highly-regarded Tunisian tactician.
The coaching duo originally arrived at Chiefs to serve as the first and second assistant coaches under Nabi, before being roped in to lead the side for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Under the guidance of these two tacticians, the Glamour Boys have endured an increasingly inconsistent run of form, which has subsequently prompted vocal calls for significant changes within the technical team.
KAIZER CHIEFS SEARCH FOR NABI SUCCESSOR INTENSIFIES AS MNGQITHI LINKS RESURFACE
Kaze and Ben Youssef recently suffered a demoralising 2-0 defeat at the hands of Siwelele FC in a league encounter at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. That result marked a disappointing milestone, as the team has now gone three consecutive matches without securing a full haul of three points.
Prior to their setback against Siwelele, Chiefs recorded back-to-back draws against Richards Bay FC and arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a high-stakes Soweto Derby last weekend. Prior to that, Chiefs had embarked on an impressive seven-match unbeaten streak, which included a run of five consecutive victories.
With Chiefs seemingly unable to maintain the pace set by league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates in the title race, the club’s supporters are demanding that management relieve the current coaches of their duties. The faithful are calling for the appointment of a seasoned mentor with a proven track record of delivering silverware and major trophies.
WHAT MAKAAB SAID ABOUT RUMOURS LINKING MNGQITHI TO THE CHIEFS JOB
Speculation has intensified in recent weeks, with a wave of reports linking Mngqithi directly to the vacant post at Naturena. The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor, who boasts an illustrious cabinet of silverware, has revitalised Arrows during his current tenure.
Beyond the results, he has successfully identified and integrated a cohort of gifted youngsters who have flourished under his guidance, subsequently emerging as primary targets for the league’s powerhouse clubs.
Mngqithi’s agent, Mike Makaab, has addressed the rumours linking his client with the Naturena-based side, stating that they are open to the interest while stressing that the coach’s employers, Arrows, deserve to be shown respect as he’s contracted to the club.
“There’s been rumours in the media, but I’ve had no formal discussions with Kaizer Chiefs. I have a very simple philosophy: if we were talking about an unknown coach, then I’d have to market him,” Makaab told FARPost.
“Manqoba Mngqithi is a highly experienced, successful coach. So, because you asked the questions about the coach, if there is genuine interest, then that approach has to be made by the football club. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to market Manqoba Mngqithi within the boundaries of South Africa.
“We have a long-standing relationship that goes beyond the client-agent relationship with mutual respect. And I understand what drives him. And what drives Manqoba is a project, the opportunity to take a project and embody the version of the club and achieve the club’s objectives. We remain open to interested clubs, but we have to respect the fact that he has a contract with Golden Arrows.”
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