The coaching carousel in KwaZulu-Natal has taken a massive turn. Lamontville Golden Arrows have officially unveiled Pitso Dladla as their brand-new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, following the high-profile departure of Manqoba Mngqithi.
Abafana Bes’thende confirmed the arrival of the highly-rated tactician with a short, punchy welcome statement to their fanbase:
“Sthende Nation welcomes Head Coach Pitso Dladla.”
Dladla steps into the hot seat with immediate pressure to build on Mngqithi’s respectable sixth-place finish last season, signaling an ambitious new dawn for the Durban-based outfit.
From the Classroom to Cup Glory: The Rise of Pitso Dladla
The 42-year-old’s journey to the top tier of South African football is nothing short of inspirational. Born in Tongaat, KZN, Dladla cut his teeth in the lower divisions with Hambanathi Young Destroyers after hanging up his boots in the ABC Motsepe League. In 2018, he took a massive leap of faith, leaving a full-time teaching career to pursue his football dreams.
Equipped with a CAF C Licence along with specialized Dutch and Brazilian coaching qualifications, Dladla built his reputation through invaluable spells as an assistant at Richards Bay FC before landing a technical role at Durban City FC.
The Nedbank Cup Masterclass That Sealed the Move
Dladla’s stock exploded during the 2025/26 campaign. Stepping into the Durban City hot seat on an interim basis amidst administrative upheaval, he masterminded one of the greatest underdog stories in modern PSL history. Under his guidance, the newly promoted side went all the way to lift the Nedbank Cup, defeating TS Galaxy in a dramatic final to claim their first-ever major trophy.
To prove it wasn’t a fluke, Dladla also guided Durban City to an impressive top-eight finish, securing a spot in the lucrative MTN8 tournament and making him the most sought-after young manager in Mzansi.
Now taking charge of Golden Arrows, the tactical mastermind will be eager to cement his legacy and establish Abafana Bes’thende as legitimate title contenders.
