I was humbled last year – Mngqithi wary of history repeating itself after KO progress

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi is preaching caution and humility despite his side’s impressive run to the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals, drawing lessons from his own painful experiences in the competition.

Abafana Bes’Thende showed resilience on Sunday, coming from behind to beat TS Galaxy 2-1 after extra-time at the King Zwelithini Stadium. The win saw them join Richards Bay in the last four, putting Arrows within touching distance of a first cup final since 2009 — when Mngqithi himself guided them to their only major title, the MTN8.

But while the Durban side’s supporters are beginning to dream ot championships, their coach remains firmly grounded. Mngqithi, now the most decorated coach left in the tournament, is acutely aware of how quickly fortunes can change in knockout football.

“I don’t want to get drawn into any perception because I was humbled last season,” Mngqithi said after the match. 

“I played against Magesi in the final and the season before we had lost against TS Galaxy in the first round of the same competition.”

The 54-year-old coach has plenty of history with this competition. 

He was in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns last season when they suffered a stunning defeat to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final — a shock that remains one of the biggest upsets in South African football. Before that, in 2023, he served as co-coach alongside Rulani Mokwena when Sundowns were dumped out of the tournament in the Round of 16 by the same TS Galaxy team he just overcame.

“I took the team (Sundowns) to the final and we got humbled in a game that we dominated from start to finish,” he recalled. “It was my first final as a sole coach that I did not win, and that for me says every game is of equal importance.”

The seasoned tactician revealed that he still keeps the silver medal from that defeat — a symbol of both disappointment and motivation.

“I’ve still got that Carling Knockout silver medal in my bag and I’d want to change it,” he said.

“I don’t usually keep silver medals, but I kept this one because I haven’t won the Carling and I’ve won every other trophy in the country. I want to change this medal into gold and give away my silver medal.”

Arrows’ victory over Galaxy not only carried personal significance for Mngqithi but also hinted at the team’s growing maturity under his guidance. 

His emphasis on discipline and humility has resonated with a youthful squad eager to make its own history. Still, the coach insists his players must focus on consistency rather than headlines as the competition nears its business end.

“The moment we start thinking too far ahead, football humbles you,” Mngqithi warned. “We’ll take each game as it comes, respect every opponent, and keep working.”

For Mngqithi, who has lifted every major domestic trophy but the Carling Knockout, this run represents both unfinished business and the chance for redemption — this time with the club where it all began.