Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed how a conversation with an agent led Golden Arrows to take a chance on Ivorian teenager Isaac Cissé. The move to sign the unheralded Ivory Coast youth international ultimately proved to be a masterstroke.
After only one season in the Betway Premiership, Cissé joined Belgian Pro League outfit Royal Charleroi SC in a deal worth a guaranteed US$600,000 [approximately R10.2 million].
Arrows could earn significantly more through performance-related incentives, while the KwaZulu-Natal club also negotiated a 5% sell-on clause.
Interestingly, the midfielder’s journey to Europe began with an unexpected call to Mngqithi regarding an unknown 19-year-old playing in Ivory Coast.
“There is a guy who I think is an agent for Cissé. He asked me, ‘Coach, do you need a player?’ I am very open-minded and talk to all these people because that is how I find players. Sometimes, players also recommend other players to me,” Mngqithi told FARPost.
“He said, ‘There is a youngster in Ivory Coast, 19 years old. I think he might be of help to you.’ I asked him to send me his profile.”
MNGQITHI DID HIS HOMEWORK ON CISSÉ
Mngqithi did not rely solely on the agent’s recommendation. The veteran coach reviewed Cissé’s background on Transfermarkt, then watched extensive footage of the midfielder.
“I started looking at this boy and then went to Transfermarkt. I thought there was something. I looked at his videos and then went to Sis Mato [Madlala]. I said, ‘Let’s sign this player’.”
“Before he even came to South Africa, I already wanted to sign him because I had watched his latest videos. I said, ‘At 19, there is something that will come out here.’”
Arrows were initially reluctant to commit to signing a player they had not yet assessed in person. Mngqithi, however, was already convinced that Cissé possessed the raw materials to develop into a top midfielder.
“There was resistance because they said we must see him first. I said, ‘I think this boy is something else.’ Fortunately, because Sis Mato respects my view when it comes to football, that is how we signed Cissé. When he came in, within the first week, I could see that we had something,” he added.
ONE SEASON WAS ENOUGH TO EARN CISSE EUROPEAN MOVE
Cissé quickly justified Mngqithi’s faith, emerging as one of Arrows’ standout performers in the 2025/26 season. The Ivory Coast Under-23 international made 26 appearances across all competitions and scored five goals as Abafana Bes’thende finished sixth in the Betway Premiership.
His performances attracted interest from Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Al Ahly and Young Africans, where Mngqithi is now head coach. However, Cissé preferred to continue his development in Europe.
Charleroi eventually met Arrows’ valuation after sending scouts to South Africa to assess him.
The youngster has already begun to make an impression in Belgium, providing an assist on his debut. “Surprisingly, now in Belgium, he has already given them an assist in his first match. That is a sign of the quality that the boy has,” he said.
RELATED STORY: Golden Arrows bank R10.2 million from Isaac Cisse’s move to Charleroi
