Manqoba Mngqithi reveals Carling Knockout Cup ambitions | OneFootball

Interview

Mngqithi opens up on CKO aspirations

Photo: Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed his Carling Knockout Cup ambitions, with the semi-finals of the competition on the horizon.

Abafana Bes'thende will face provincial rivals Richards Bay for a spot in the final after ousting TS Galaxy in the quarterfinal last week Saturday.

Having guided Arrows to their first domestic cup semi-final since the 2021/22 season, Mngqithi is not getting ahead of himself as he lost the League Cup to then-rookies Magesi FC while in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns last season.

“The perception of the semi-final, I do not want to go into that [space to say we will win the trophy] because I was humbled last season. I played against Magesi in the final and the season before we had lost against TS Galaxy in the first round of the competition,” said the KZN-born mentor.

"And then I took the team to the final of the competition and got humbled in a game that we dominated from start to finish but unfortunately we didn't win. It was my first final as a coach that I didn't win and that for me says every game is as important.

While he opts to remain grounded, the Arrows boss expressed a strong desire to turn last season's heartache into triumph to clinch the elusive competition of his coaching career.

“But I have got that Carling Black Label silver medal in my bag. I would like to change it because it was very unfortunate that we did not win that match, so I decided to keep it. I normally don't keep the silver medal because I have not won the Carling,” Mngqithi added.

"I have won every other trophy in the country but I have not won the Carling Black Label. So I said I will one day want to change this and make it gold so that I can give away my silver medal.