Ncikazi Reveals The Alarming Numbers Behind Golden Arrows’ Goal-Scoring Crisis

Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has identified a major attacking problem at the club, using statistics to explain why Abafana Bes’thende have struggled to find the back of the net in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.

The experienced coach returned to the Durban-based outfit in October after leaving Orlando Pirates, but he inherited a team that had already experienced difficulties in front of goal.

After nine league matches, Arrows had scored just three goals, a statistic that has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding the club. The team had also collected only eight points from those nine matches, leaving them 10th on the Betway Premiership table.

Ncikazi believes the numbers tell a much bigger story than simply blaming the forwards.

“I’ll give you the stats that I found, we have played nine games in the league, we have scored three goals, that is information – the touches in the attacking third have reduced from last season,” Ncikazi said.

The coach explained that Arrows are not creating enough attacking situations to consistently threaten opposition defences. According to his assessment, the number of touches in the attacking third, final passes and shots at goal have all declined.

“That is something to work on – the final pass we have reduced, the shots at goal have reduced, then it tells you the final third needs to be worked on,” he said.

The statistics are particularly concerning because Arrows have quality in their attacking ranks. Sede Junior Dion, the reigning Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot winner, remains an important attacking figure, but the team has struggled to provide him with enough opportunities.

Ncikazi has therefore resisted the temptation to simply blame personnel.

Instead, he believes the problem is largely tactical and related to how the team progresses the ball from defence into dangerous areas.

“Forward passes from the build-up, we build up well from the back, we enter the middle-third and then there’s the disconnect, we don’t get into the attacking third,” he explained.

That disconnect has become a major focus for the coach as he attempts to change the team's fortunes.

Arrows were previously recognised for their ability to regain possession high up the pitch. Ncikazi revealed that the club ranked first in the league for regaining the ball in the attacking third last season, but that aspect of their game has subsequently declined.

For a team that previously relied on aggressive pressing and quick transitions, the drop represents a significant tactical change.

Ncikazi believes his responsibility is to identify why those numbers have fallen and find a solution on the training ground.

“I don’t think it’s the personnel, I think it’s the strategy and concept, how you train, what you want from the team and demand,” he said.

The coach's assessment comes after a difficult start to his second spell in charge. He began his return with an emphatic 4-0 Carling Knockout victory over Chippa United, but subsequent defeats against AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns exposed some of the same attacking concerns.

Source:

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