Manqoba Mngqithi: Cup football doesn’t follow big-club logic

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he is not getting carried away by the shock early exits of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs from the Carling Knockout Cup, despite his own team marching into the semi-finals.

The two heavyweights were both knocked out in the opening round — and both via penalty shootouts — with Chiefs losing to Stellenbosch FC, while Sundowns were stunned by Marumo Gallants. 

Their departures left Orlando Pirates as the only remaining member of the traditional “big three” still standing in the competition. However, Mngqithi, who has built his reputation on meticulous preparation and tactical awareness, says he never measures his side’s chances based on who remains in the draw.

“I never look at cup competitions in that space because I always know cup competitions will always present surprises,” said the Arrows mentor. “Normally, the big teams do not do as good as you would expect in the cup competitions.”

Arrows, who beat TS Galaxy 2-1 after extra time at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, have been one of the competition’s most resilient teams. The result booked their place in the semi-finals, keeping alive hopes of a first major trophy in 16 years.

Mngqithi, who famously guided Arrows to their 2009 MTN8 title — the club’s only major silverware — knows what it takes to navigate the unpredictability of knockout football. His decorated career also includes a decade of success as an assistant coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he collected 10 major trophies.

“It’s Pirates probably in the last three years that really dominated that space,” Mngqithi reflected. “But even then, they have also been found wanting in some of the cup competitions.”

The 54-year-old believes that cup tournaments reward attention to detail rather than status. For him, the key lies in studying opponents closely and adapting strategy accordingly, rather than relying on historical dominance.

“So, cup competitions, you must just focus on the game that you are facing, regardless of who you are playing,” he explained. “Be a little bit more meticulous in looking at what they do defensively and offensively, then try to come up with solutions to deal with that.”

Mngqithi also warned that the unpredictable nature of cup football makes every fixture dangerous, regardless of the opponent’s size or reputation.

“Do not look at it as if it’s a big or a small team,” he said. “Because cup competitions everywhere in the world are always a threat against the big teams.”

Arrows’ progression into the semifinals is a testament to their growing belief under Mngqithi, who returned to the club earlier this season. While Orlando Pirates remain the tournament favourites on paper, the Arrows boss is determined to keep his players grounded and focused on their next challenge.

“Reputation doesn’t win you anything in knockout football,” Mngqithi added. “It’s about what you do on the day, how disciplined you are, and how well you execute your plan.”

For Arrows, that focus could be what turns quiet confidence into another piece of golden history.