KZN no longer a dumping ground for old players, says Mngqithi

GOLDEN Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes the province of KwaZulu-Natal is finally turning a corner in its football identity — moving away from being a “dumping site” for ageing players and embracing a new era powered by homegrown talent.

- SMISO MSOMI

Speaking with conviction about the rise of KZN clubs this season, Mngqithi credited the recent success of provincial teams to a deliberate focus on developing and trusting young players from the region.

“Our province is on the right track because over the years, our province has been a dumping site,” said the Arrows mentor. “All the old players that are no longer useful somewhere else, they become useful here — but now our province is beginning to produce its own younger, energetic, hungrier and willing players.”

It’s a statement that reflects the current landscape of KwaZulu-Natal football. After 11 matches, three of the four teams from the province sit in the top half of the Betway Premiership.