Golden Arrows boss Manqoba Mngqithi rates Velemseni Ndwandwe as 'international material'

Mngqithi has long been an admirer of Ndwandwe and believes the 29-year-old is more than capable of making an impact on the international stage, urging Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to take note of the talented utility player.

Ndwandwe, originally from Empangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal, has been a key figure for Arrows over the past three seasons, and his display against Chiefs was another example of his quality. His intelligent play in midfield was a driving force behind Arrows securing all three points in the Betway Premiership clash, which saw them climb to 10th in the standings, while Chiefs are left in a disappointing eighth place.

The match saw Nduduzo Sibiya put the hosts ahead in the 25th minute, before Yusuf Maart equalized for Chiefs in the 29th. However, it was Knox Mutizwa's 78th-minute strike that sealed the win for Arrows, ensuring they completed a league double over Chiefs in the 2024-25 season.

It wasn't just the goals that impressed, though. Mngqithi praised Ndwandwe's all-around influence, pointing to his key contribution in the lead-up to Sibiya's early chance. "That pass to Sibiya was not an easy one," Mngqithi said. "It was a difficult ball, and it could've easily led to a goal in the early stages."

The Arrows coach, who has worked with Ndwandwe for some time, emphasized the midfielder's exceptional versatility and intelligence. "I rate him very highly. He could easily play for any team in this country. It's not something I've just noticed now that I'm with Arrows. I've always wanted him on my team, and I've seen first-hand what he's capable of."

Mngqithi went further to highlight Ndwandwe's defensive and offensive strengths. "He's strong defensively and powerful going forward. He's very intelligent, and you saw that with his vision in setting up Sibiya."

Ndwandwe's ability to adapt to various roles has made him even more valuable. "I've used him in different positions. Against Sundowns, he was tasked with dealing with (Lucas) Ribeiro in the half-space, and he did so effectively. I also used him against Polokwane on the side of (Oswin) Appollis, and he handled that role well too. Not having him against Magesi was a big loss for me."

Mngqithi's glowing endorsement is a clear indication of how highly he rates Ndwandwe, and the coach is determined to do his part in seeing the midfielder earn national recognition. "I honestly believe he's national team material. I'll be speaking to Hugo Broos to make sure he looks at him because he's truly in a class of his own," Mngqithi added.

As Arrows continue to build momentum, the impressive performances of Ndwandwe could very well see him step onto a bigger stage—whether that's leading his side to greater heights in the league or getting a call-up to represent South Africa on the international level.