Manqoba Mngqithi demands improvement despite Golden Arrows’ Nedbank Cup progress

Golden Arrows returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion against Orbit College, securing their place in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.

Despite the comprehensive 3-0 triumph on Saturday, 7 February 2026, coach Manqoba Mngqithi insists there is still plenty for his side to work on.

Abafana Bes’thende claimed their second win of the season over the Rustenburg side, repeating the scoreline they had registered in their earlier league meeting. The defeat compounded Pogiso Makhoye’s team’s struggles, as they will now be forced to shift their full focus to their continued fight for survival in the top flight, without any cup competition to balance their campaign.

For Arrows, however, the victory provided a welcome boost after a run of five matches without a win, offering much-needed momentum as they now turn their focus back to the league this weekend.

Having last reached this stage of the competition in 2023, Arrows finally progressed beyond the round of 32 in the Nedbank Cup, achieving what had eluded them over the past two seasons. Yet, despite the dominant display, Mngqithi believes there is room for improvement and feels the game could have produced even more goals for his side.

“The boys deserve it; they worked very hard,” Mngqithi said in a post-match interview with SuperSport. “Most of the boys were playing in the ABC Motsepe League and are now getting the opportunity to play at the highest level.

"With the kind of training we have been pushing, it is beginning to pay off. I am still not completely satisfied. I believed this game could have been a six- or seven-goal affair if we had been more clinical in the final third. But be that as it may, I am happy that individual players have shown up and that the whole group looked very good.”

While Arrows faced little threat from their opponents, the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach questioned the team’s attacking efficiency and balance.

“We hardly conceded any chances from the opponents, and for me, that is probably the most important thing from this game. If you have seven shots on target from 17 attempts, you should ask yourself what you are doing," Mngqithi said.

"But I am still optimistic that we will improve, because we played with a bit of anxiety. The team has not been winning matches, and as much as there has been tremendous improvement in how the team has been playing, when you are not winning, you start getting anxious and making mistakes.”

Abafana Bes’thende now face a long trip to Seshego Stadium to take on Magesi FC in the league, aiming to move closer to a top-eight finish. Mngqithi hopes the cup success will have a positive impact on their league form, while approaching the tournament with care.

“Our focus should be to try and do well in the league and improve our position on the log. As for the Cup, we will take every game as it comes,” he concluded.