Ncikazi Rejoins Arrows After Departing from Pirates

October 22, 2026 sportnow Golden Arrows has confirmed the re-appointment of Mandla Ncikazi as their head coach, marking his return to the Durban-based club only hours after leaving Orlando Pirates. On Thursday morning, Orlando Pirates announced that Ncikazi had resigned from his position at Rand Stadium to assume a key head coaching role in the Betway Premiership.

Throughout his five-year time with the Buccaneers, Ncikazi secured nine trophies, mainly serving as assistant coach, including last season’s groundbreaking domestic treble under the guidance of Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Ncikazi had previously left Abafana Bes’Thende before the 2021/22 season to join Pirates as an assistant. In his final season of his initial tenure, he led Golden Arrows to a fourth-place finish in the Premier Soccer League, which remains the highest league position in the club’s history.

He takes over from Pitso Dladla, who was dismissed from his role on Thursday following a disappointing streak of five matches without a win across all competitions.

Ncikazi has strong ties to the Durban club, having previously been an assistant coach under Manqoba Mngqithi when Golden Arrows secured their first PSL trophy—a noteworthy 6-0 victory against Ajax Cape Town in the 2009 MTN8 final.

He will assume his duties immediately, with his second tenure commencing on Saturday, as Golden Arrows face Chippa United in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 at King Zwelithini Stadium.