Golden Arrows head coach Mabhudi Khenyeza reacts during the Betway Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and Golden Arrows at Athlone Stadium on 18 September 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)
- Mabhuti Khanyeza has resumed his role as head coach of Golden Arrows for the 2024/25 season, securing a 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC in his 30th match in charge.
- Khanyeza’s return comes after Steve Komphela, who temporarily replaced him in March 2024, left Arrows to rejoin Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Arrows capitalised on Stellies’ decision to rest key players ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup clash, with goals from Siyanda Mthanti and Lungelo Nguse handing Khanyeza a victorious return.
- For more Orlando Pirates news, please visit the News24 dedicated local soccer page.
The ever-changing nature of coaching positions is a recurring theme in South African football, and one man has recently returned to a familiar role, achieving a resounding victory in the process.
Mabhuti Khanyeza, a former prolific striker in the Premier Soccer League, has taken up the head coach position at Golden Arrows once again for the 2024/25 season.
Earlier this year, in March, the Arrows’ ownership had to make a decisive move as Khanyeza’s tenure saw the team suffering 11 defeats out of 12 matches across all competitions.
Fortunately for them, the experienced Steve Komphela was available after a troubled six-month spell with Moroka Swallows, which ended sooner than anticipated.
Komphela had left Mamelodi Sundowns to take on the role, eager to lead a team once more, while Khanyeza had begun the 2023/24 season with Arrows, achieving seven victories in their first ten matches.
However, Khanyeza’s fortunes took a turn for the worse, prompting Arrows to bring in Komphela to stabilise the team and prevent relegation, leading to Khanyeza’s demotion to first team coach.
Fast-forward five months, and Khanyeza has been reinstated as the head coach at Arrows, while Komphela has returned to Masandawana, illustrating the continuing rotation in coaching positions.
On Wednesday, the 42-year-old Khanyeza was in high spirits as his Arrows side secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC, marking a strong start to their Premiership season at a rain-soaked and windy Athlone Stadium.
It was Khanyeza’s 30th match in charge of Arrows, and his ninth win, with five draws and 16 defeats.
It was a clash of contrasting fortunes as Arrows kicked off their season against Stellenbosch, who were already seven matches into their campaign, having navigated both the MTN8 and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Maroons arrived in Athlone with an unblemished record, buoyed by their recent triumph over DR Congo giants AS Vita in the Confederation Cup’s second preliminary round.
Their early start to the season, a consequence of the delayed Premiership kick-off, had given them a competitive edge.Yet, the demands of juggling African and domestic commitments were taking their toll.
Stellies head coach Steve Barker, mindful of the gruelling schedule, chose to rest key players – Andre de Jong, Devin Titus, Thabo Moloisane, Athenkosi Mdaka, and Sihle Nduli – as they prepared for their crucial away leg in the DRC. They need to avoid a two-goal defeat or worse in Kinshasa to secure a place in the group stages.
Already confirmed for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on 5 October, Stellenbosch seemed poised but preoccupied.
The rainy spring night in Cape Town was a fitting backdrop for the dramatic unfolding of this Premiership opener.
From the whistle, the match sparkled with energy.
Both teams were swift and purposeful, creating chances but were not deadly in the final third.
When the whistle blew for half-time, the score was still goalless, a testament to the resolute defending on both sides.
The second half began with Stellenbosch dominating possession, desperately seeking the opener. Yet, Abafana Bes’thende proved to be a stubborn opponent in their own half.
In a surprising turn of events, Arrows took the lead in the 69th minute. A quick and incisive counter-attack saw Siyanda Mthanti strike a low, precise shot that eluded Sage Stephens and nestled into the bottom right corner.
Stellenbosch then increased urgency, ramped up their efforts as the home team pushed frantically for an equaliser as the match approached its climax.
But in a dramatic finale, Arrows cemented their victory deep into stoppage time. A penalty awarded for a Ismael Toure handball in the 95th minute gave Lungelo Nguse the chance to seal the win.
He confidently dispatched the spot-kick, ensuring Arrows left Cape Town with all three points.
On a night where the rain seemed to dance in favour of the visitors, Khanyeza’s return was marked by a triumphant victory, while Barker’s Stellenbosch faced the harsh reality of balancing multiple competitions.
