sportskeeda
Mabhuti Khenyeza has allegedly stepped down as co-coach of Golden Arrows amidst ongoing disputes and allegations of a toxic work environment.
The ex-striker for Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, and Mamelodi Sundowns, who has had multiple stints with the club, felt that his role was being undermined, which impacted his ability to fulfill his duties effectively.
Khenyeza was working alongside Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi as co-coaches.
Upon his departure, the club was in sixth place in the Betway Premiership standings, having accrued 13 points from eight matches.
Khenyeza initially left Arrows in 2007 to join Chiefs, returning to the Durban club in 2015 when they were competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
He played a crucial role in Arrows’ return to the Premier Soccer League by achieving PSL promotion under coach Shaun Bartlett.
Khenyeza left the club in 2016 due to disagreements with then-coach Clinton Larsen.
He subsequently signed with AmaZulu, where he concluded his playing career in 2018, later becoming an assistant coach at Maritzburg United (now known as Durban City) under Muhsin Ertugral.
Following that, he returned to AmaZulu as an assistant and then served as the DStv Challenge coach for TS Galaxy before rejoining Arrows in 2021.
As of 2021, he was the assistant to Lehlohonolo Seema, who was dismissed in March 2022 following a significant loss to Sundowns.
Khenyeza ended the 2021/22 season as co-caretaker coach with Vusi Vilakazi.
When Vilakazi left in September 2023, Khenyeza remained with Steve Komphela, who subsequently departed for Sundowns at the start of the current season.
“Khenyeza is no longer part of the team,” a source revealed.
“He was not fired, but there were many disagreements regarding his work, leading him to believe the situation had become toxic.”
“As a coach, he had specific expectations and a vision for how he wanted to operate, which ultimately resulted in his decision to part ways. He was not dismissed; he chose to leave.”
“The environment simply wasn’t conducive for him. It’s essential to clarify this, as Khenyeza prides himself on maintaining professionalism despite the challenges he faced. He is genuinely upset because of his deep affection for Arrows.”
“In the end, Khenyeza was dissatisfied at Arrows, and I can confirm he is no longer affiliated with the club.”
Arrows have been approached for a comment, but no response has been received by the time of publication.
Khenyeza, 42, is considered one of the top strikers in the PSL, having scored more than 100 goals. He is particularly remembered for scoring the fastest goal—just 19 seconds into the match—during the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Chiefs in November 2007, attended by FIFA officials including former FIFA president Sepp Blatter at Kings Park Stadium before the 2010 World Cup preliminary draw in Durban.
Another significant achievement for Khenyeza includes his two goals that secured the Carling Knockout title for Ajax Cape Town in the 2008/09 season as they triumphed over Pirates at Chatsworth Stadium.
