Manqoba Mngqithi pleased with Golden Arrows character but demands more

Speaking after a 1-1 draw in the KZN derby against topflight newcomers Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium, Mngqithi said his players continue to show quality in training but fail to replicate it during matches. 

He praised their fighting spirit to come from a goal down, but stressed that better decision-making in the final third is needed. 

"The structure of the team has improved quite a lot, the play is sporadic sometimes, with good football actions, good combinations, but edgy – one mistake and we want to go back to our own shells," said Mngqithi.

"But it's normal, we have to build this culture and desire to play this uncomfortable football, where if you make a mistake, you get punished and we are coming from such mistakes [made] against Siwelele.

"The team is still not settled, it's far from how it performed during pre-season, and I think that game of Siwelele brought a lot of instability because now we're committing such silly errors and lose a game when you hadn't lost much during pre-season."

READ: Manqoba Mngqithi calls on fans to unite behind KZN top flight teams

With new signing Junior Dion again getting on the scoresheet, Mngqithi insisted his side is capable of scoring goals and remains confident things will change once they settle into their stride.

"I think I will have a lot of goal scorers this season, and I'm anticipating that Dion will always pitch with one or two goals here and there," he added.

"But I'm looking at the bulk of creative players I have at the back, who I know – when they get into their groove and good enough that we are getting some points in the process, and everyone is not as edgy, and the confidence grows, the team will be very strong."