Manqoba Mngqithi identifies Golden Arrows major struggle

Arrows sit just one point above the relegation play-off spot with two matches left, even though Mngqithi’s return in March brought a brief spark – starting with a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns and wins over Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs.

But that early promise faded quickly, and the former Sundowns mentor says he now has to undergo a similar process to what he did while in Chloorkop, now with Abafana Bes'thende.

"Believe you me, this is the team that we are in this position now in terms of the chance creation and shots at goals – in the same season I was in another team and we were also  dominating possession, but not creating chances or scoring as many goals," said Mngqithi.

"I said it from the beginning of the season that this season I'm trying to build a team that can manufacture chances, and from that work in one season, probably, after 15 seasons, the team has managed to score 100 goals in a season.

"[This] is something we were far away from, considering where we are coming from in previous seasons, and I said it from the beginning that possession sometimes is overrated.

"You must improve getting into the final third and manufacturing chances to score goals, and that same team has improved tremendously."

The KwaZulu-Natal side have scored just 20 goals while conceding 32 this season, and Mngqithi says a lack of composure in front of goal has cost them valuable points.

"Possession is no longer an issue, getting into the final third was no longer an issue, but now how do you then manufacture chance after chance, and try to have people that are a little more decisive in just taking a shot," he added.

"If as a coach I must shout and tell a player to take a shot, then really what are we doing? Because players should know that, 'When I get into that position and I receive with a back foot, I'm facing the goalkeeper, let me try.'

"As a former footballer myself, I think every footballer would love to take a shot at goal, but when you play without the mentality to terminate attacks, or you're a striker but you're happy to finish the match without taking one shot at goal, you should be concerned. 

"But I can tell you, improvement is inevitable."

READ: Mngqithi focused on finish as Arrows teeter near drop zone