Mngqithi bemoans Golden Arrows’ blunt attack after losing to Siwelele FC

Lamontville Golden Arrows FC coach Manqoba Mngqithi has put question marks on his team’s defending and finishing after losing 3-1 to Siwelele FC on Saturday in South Africa’s elite league.

The visitors won the Betway Premiership opening game for the 2025-2026 season, thanks to Siviwe Magidigi’s brace and Vincent Pule’s strike. Keenan Phillips scored Arrows’ consolation goal.

Reacting to the result, Mngqithi felt his team did not do enough to deserve the maximum points. He cited sloppy defending and a lack of sharpness upfront.

“We made our life very difficult, unfortunately with two silly mistakes, both from our centre backs,” the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns mentor explained to SuperSport Television.

“We let in a free header in the box. I still have to see what happened because I know we specifically put special attention on Magidigidi. I still have to see whether his marker was blocked because I was surprised to see a free header.”

Mngqithi added: “We let it loose for too long. I don’t think we were sharp enough in many aspects. Even in our final-third, I don’t think we did enough to pose any threat on their last line,” he said.

Before the game, the former Sundowns mentor admitted that he knew little about Siwelele’s style of play; hence it was difficult planning for them. Siwelele emerged on South Africa’s football scene after buying the Premiership status of SuperSport United in the pre-season.