Latest news with #Dikgacoi
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kagiso Dikgacoi discusses Arrows-Royal AM early transfer strategy
SABELO Sithole is among the players Lamontville Golden Arrows move quickly to snatch from the Royal AM rubble. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Golden Arrows assistant coach Kagiso Dikgacoi believes securing several Royal AM players ahead of the new season has given the club a crucial head start as they look to strengthen their squad and identity. The Durban-based outfit took advantage of Royal AM's financial collapse and the termination of their PSL membership by swooping in early to sign some of Thwihli Thwahla's most experienced and reliable performers. 'It's always good to have a big squad to look at your options. The guys that came in towards the end of the season are very, very good players and had a huge impact at Royal AM,' said Dikgacoi, speaking at the launch of the KZN Premier's Cup on Tuesday. Golden Arrows secured the services of Ayanda Jiyane, Thabo Matlaba, Philani Sithebe, Xolani Ngcobo, Shadrack Kobedi, Sabelo Sithole, Ayabulela Maxwele, and Siphesihle Msomi – all of whom were on Royal AM's books before the club's dramatic exit from the top flight. Golden Arrows have completed the signing of former Royal AM midfielder Sabelo Sithole#BetwayPrem #SthendeWay#RoyalAM — Matakanye Robert (@MatakanyeJuwas) April 7, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading For Dikgacoi and the rest of the Arrows technical team, getting those players in the door before pre-season has allowed for smoother integration and better planning. 'It's unfortunate that they came at a later stage [last season], which means they arrived unfit,' he explained. 'But now they're with us from the start of pre-season and they've already gotten used to the environment – the adjustment period is done.' Many of the players joined Abafana Bes'thende before the 2024/25 campaign ended, which allowed them to get a taste of the club's structure, style of play, and expectations. That head start, according to Dikgacoi, will be crucial as Arrows look to rebuild around a clearer vision. 'In terms of other signings, the club will make an announcement of both those who have come in and the ones who have gone,' he said. 'Hopefully, we're gonna bring in players that will adjust well and fit into the system and the identity of Golden Arrows.' Arrows endured a turbulent 2024/25 season, narrowly escaping the relegation zone. The club is now keen on bouncing back and re-establishing itself as a force in the Betway Premiership – and Dikgacoi believes the recent additions bring the right balance of quality and experience. The immediate test for the reshaped squad and technical team comes later this month when they take on KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu in the KZN Premier's Cup – a match that will offer a glimpse into how far the squad has come since the integration of the new arrivals. Having a solid pre-season with most of their new players already familiar with the club's setup, Arrows are hoping their early moves in the transfer market pay dividends when the real business kicks off.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Dikgacoi backs Mngqithi's bold title ambitions at Golden Arrows
Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi co coaches of Golden Arrows. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu, BackpagePix Image: Backpages Golden Arrows assistant coach Kagiso Dikgacoi has thrown his support behind Manqoba Mngqithi's bold ambition to mount a Betway Premiership title challenge, saying the veteran coach has already transformed the club's mentality behind the scenes. Mngqithi returned to Arrows late last season after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns, reuniting with a club where he built his name in the early 2000s. He took over a side battling for consistency and managed to steady the ship, helping Abafana Bes'thende secure a 12th-place finish — two points shy off a top-eight spot. Now, with a full pre-season under his belt, Mngqithi has made it clear that he's aiming higher. For Dikgacoi, who played under Mngqithi during his first spell at Arrows before securing a move abroad, the ambition is refreshing and familiar. 'We obviously didn't do well last season until he came in, and he immediately demanded intensity from the players,' said Dikgacoi. 'That shifted the mentality a little in the changeroom.' Although Arrows missed out on a top-eight finish, the improvement under Mngqithi's short tenure was evident. And now with the off-season to fine-tune the squad and structure, the technical team believes the club can push into new territory. 'Unfortunately we couldn't make the top eight like we'd hoped, but he is someone that wants to win things,' Dikgacoi added. 'He's won cups and league titles, and that's the mentality he's instilling in us. 'Hopefully we're gonna be able to do that this season with the players we've got and the players we've also let go.' Arrows have undergone subtle changes in personnel, but the biggest shift has come in the tone and culture within the squad.
