By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Golden Arrows have announced the appointment of Mandla Ncikazi as the club’s new head coach after parting ways with defending champions Orlando Pirates.
Ncikazi served as an assistant coach to then-head coach Jose Riveiro and current boss Abdeslam Ouaddou, and had a co-coaching stint with Fadlu Davids between August 2021 to June 2022.
His exit at Pirates was marred with controversy amid swirling reports that he had an internal rift with Ouaddou, who allegedly threatened to quit if the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) tactician continues as part of his technical team.
In a statement, Pirates stated that Ncikazi requested to e released from his contract in order to pursue the opportunity to lead a team again.
“The move follows discussions with management this morning in which Mr Ncikazi expressed his wish to pursue the opportunity to lead a team again. The Club has given him it’s blessing to do so,” read a statement from Pirates on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Club chairman Irvin Khoza thanked Ncikazi and acknowledged his ambition to return to head coaching.
“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us. We respect his wish to pursue this new opportunity and wish him success as he takes on a new responsibility,” said Khoza.
Ncikazi departs with nine trophies earned as part of the Pirates technical team, where he served predominantly as Assistant Coach, including a brief spell as co-coach in 2025.
He now returns to familiar surroundings at Arrows, where he previously enjoyed success with an impressive fourth place finish in the league during the 2020/21 campaign.
In a statement, the club said, “Lamontville Golden Arrows Football Club is delighted to welcome Coach Mandla Ncikazi who returns to Abafana Bes’thende to taka the reins as head coach.”
Ncikazi takes over from Pitso Dladla, who the KZN side registered one win, five draws and two losses in their first eight league game under him, while they also reached the semi-finals of the MTN8 last month.