Golden Arrows assistant coach Kagiso Dikgacoi is convinced that the team is poised to end a 17-year trophy drought next season.
Abafana Bes’thende enjoyed their best campaign since 2020-21 as they finished sixth in the Betway Premiership last term to qualify for the MTN 8 for the first time in six years.
Manqoba Mngqithi had the youngest squad in the league and yet his side went toe-to-toe with the clubs above them in the table, beating Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United on home soil, while they narrowly lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs both home and away.
Arrows won the MTN 8 in 2009 which remains their sole piece of silverware, but Dikgacoi believes they can challenge for honours in 2026-27 with a few signings.
“We had a fantastic season,” the former Bafana Bafana international said. “It has been a while since the team has finished in the top-eight brackets.
“With the young bunch of players, if you look at the stats, we are the only team that played with quite a few young players. So, that for us is a motivation.
“It says that if we can keep the same team together into the new season with the same attitude and performance, we can challenge for silverware.
“Already we are in the top eight, that’s a start. If we can add a few additions to the team, I think we can collect silverware next season.”
Despite the uncertainty around Mngqithi’s future, Dikgacoi claims it won’t negatively impact the players even if the head coach should leave in the off-season.
“I know for a fact that it won’t discourage us as a team if the coach leaves. He did well and it was a good investment for the club,” the former Arrows midfielder added.
“A young team that competed with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, it means they will grow and they are going to be a good investment for the club and we are very happy.”
