‘He has bigger ambitions’ – Arrows coach plays down Ndlovu Pirates and Sundowns links

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes Siyanda Ndlovu’s ceiling stretches far beyond a routine move up the N3, suggesting the winger harbours ambitions that go well beyond what the current transfer rumours suggest.

The 22-year-old has been one of the standout performers in the league this season for Golden Arrows, emerging as a key weapon in one of the division’s most entertaining attacking units. 

With nine direct goal contributions in the league, Ndlovu has only been bettered by his teammate Sede Dion, who sits on ten, underlining just how influential the youngster has been.

Unsurprisingly, his rise has attracted attention, with speculation linking him to Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. 

But Mngqithi, who knows all about managing elite talent from his time at Chloorkop, insists the noise has not unsettled his player.

“Generally that is very tough for a coach to deal with because it differs from player to player,” Mngqithi explained.

 “Others, once they hear some things said about them, even when Laduma shows a picture after one match, then you can see hey the boy is now struggling to fit into these taxis and Ubers.”

However, Mngqithi was quick to separate Ndlovu from that stereotype.

“But particularly about uSkhwishi , he’s a very humble boy and he still appreciates the learning because he knows the areas of the game I’m still very unhappy about,” he said.

“He knows how much improvement he can still make within Golden Arrows before anything else.”

The Arrows coach also dismissed the current transfer talk as little more than background noise, suggesting it is often used as a destabilising tactic rather than reflecting genuine interest.

“At this stage there’s nothing tangible,” Mngqithi added. 

“Talk is usually escalated so that the club gets fed up sometimes or the player starts to say, ‘hey can I go?’ but a boy like Skhwishi is a marvel to have.”

Mngqithi went on to paint a picture of a player deeply committed to his craft, describing Ndlovu as professional, grounded and eager to learn. 

He highlighted the winger’s willingness to review his own performances, ask questions and apply feedback as a major driver behind his improvement.

Tactically, the biggest change in Ndlovu’s game has been positional. 

Once a traditional wide dribbler, he now operates more frequently in half-spaces and central corridors, closer to goal.

“That has helped him improve so much in terms of assists and the goals he’s scoring,” Mngqithi noted.

Perhaps most telling, though, was the coach’s closing assessment of his star winger’s mindset.

“I can be honest with you, I don’t foresee any problem,” he said. 

“The boy has probably got even bigger ambitions than what people think will entice him. He says he has potential to achieve far more than just a bus trip to Joburg.”