Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has clarified their goalkeeping situation with Thakasani
Mbanjwa – who earned a preliminary Bafana Bafana call-up – not featuring since his arrival.
Mbanjwa, 30, is one of four keepers that were named in Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as he made the most of Edward Maova’s injury in the opening stage of the season to impress the national team selectors.
However, Dumsiani Msibi, who was lured to Arrows from Chippa United in the last transfer window, has now started the last three games with Mbanjwa, who had three clean sheets in seven games dropping to the bench.
Sanele Tshabalala and Xolani Ngcobo make up the rest of the goalkeeping department, and if Ncikazi’s words are anything to go by – Msibi will remain his number one stopper for the time being.
“Don’t fix if it’s not broken, when I arrived at the club, Msibi was in goal – I have a record of playing a goalkeeper for 45 games, when I was at Arrows, I only used one goalkeeper, I am not a fan of alternating goalkeepers,” Ncikazi explained.
“So when I arrived Msibi played the game and he played well, we are blessed with three goalkeepers, they will have to wait, the one that’s playing, if he does well, we will keep him.
“Or based on the game that we want to play, Msibi has one capacity, the ability to build from the back and Arrows are about that, the ability to play long and short, good quality.
“Mbanjwa is a top goalkeeper but if the other one is doing well, unfortunately he has to wait but I love the attitude from all the keepers at the club.”
Arrows have lost their last two games with Ncikazi in charge, 1-0 to AmaZulu in the league and a 1-0 exit in the Carling Knockout Cup at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns.