Arrows coaching duo in a happy place
If relationships enjoyed a bond as strong as the one between Golden Arrows coach, Steve Komphela and his assistant Mandla Ncikazi, then the divorce statistics in the country which are said to be sky-rocketing would be much lower.
After years of working together, the duo were separated for three years when Komphela was at Kaizer Chiefs although Phakaaathi Plus understands that he tried to get Ncikazi to Naturena at that time.
After Komphela left Amakhosi, they were reunited at Abafana Bes’thende where Ncikazi had already been an assistant for over two years.
Their union, however, has been a barren one as they are yet to win silverware. But with Golden
Arrows in the semifinals of the Telkom Knockout where they meet Mamelodi Sundowns, hopes are high that their hard work might finally come to fruition.
Arrows have an edge after gaining some confidence with a 3-2 beating of Pitso Mosimane’s side in a league game last weekend.
If they do land the knockout blow on Masandawana, it will be the first time in a decade that Arrows make a final appearance which will also be at home as the Premier Soccer League have confirmed that the final will be at Moses Mabhida Stadium on December 14th.
Ncikazi was there as Manqoba Mngqithi’s assistant back in 2009 when they set the record for the biggest cup final win, handing Ajax Cape Town a 6-0 drubbing.
“That final was 10 years ago and it should be a good omen for Arrows that it happened in that period when I was here,” said Ncikazi.
“The kind of players who were here then are the kind that we have now and it would be nice to win with Manqoba sitting on the opposite bench. I am hopeful that the same mentality we have now, we will have in the next game,” added Nickazi.
Komphela meanwhile says while their working relationship may look rosy from a distance, that is not the case.
“It looks like a lovely marriage until you get close. You don’t want to get next to us,” said Komphela before singing the praises of his partner.
“One thing that we should not forget is that Mandla has got the same qualifications. If I were to think Mandla is second to that I would be lying to myself because we were on the same coaching course as the top coaches in the country.