Preserving Arrows game model and culture central to Dladla’s vision

Preserving Arrows game model and culture central to Dladla’s vision

Maintaining the game model and culture of producing young talented players for the Premier Soccer League’s Premier Division, is Golden Arrows’ new head coach Pitso Dladla’s vision.

Dladla recently joined Arrows from cross-town rivals Durban City, just a few months after making history - winning the Nedbank Cup title with City, in what was their first ever top-flight trophy. 

At Arrows, he’s replacing coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who has just been announced as the head coach at Young Africans in Tanzania. Dladla says he wants to maintain the culture at Abafana Bes’thende.

Some of the great work done by Mngqithi at Arrows last season included finishing inside the top six, which means they will play in the MTN8 next month against Kaizer Chiefs. 

Dladla is seen as filling the big shoes of Mngqithi, but that’s not what he’s focused on at the moment...

"To be honest, I am focusing on the pre-season right now because it is the most important thing."

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With a CAF A License, things could’ve been slightly easier for Dladla to remain at City, but he’s still on a CAF B license, and with the club set to play in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, this influenced City’s decision to go for Khalil Ben Youssef. 

After tasting some silverware at City last season, Dladla believes he can continue with that at Arrows...

"If you are involved in a professional set-up like this, winning must be something we all aspire to do. If you have tested something before you know it is realistic to achieve something. We just need to prepare well for every game when the league starts."

Arrows will play in the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Cup next week (25-26 July), and they have been drawn against the newly promoted top-flight side Milford FC.