Manqoba Mngqithi (born 25 April 1971 in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa) is the head coach of the South African professional football club, Mamelodi Sundowns.
With a coaching setup that consists of renowned South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches such as Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela, he has led his team to clinch the PSL title over and over again. All of these victories have not just brought trophies to the club but have also brought him to the limelight.
It is no news that Mamelodi Sundowns won the PSL championship in the 2020/2021 season, making them the first team to win the championship in four consecutive seasons. One of the brains and masterminds who has been behind that clean sweep and consistent title triumph is coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
The PSL-winning coach joined the Brazilians in 2013 as an assistant coach. He served in that capacity under renowned coach Pitso Mosimane until 2020, when he was announced as the side’s head coach, alongside Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela after Mosimane moved to Al Ahly of Egypt. Since then, they have taken the club to the next level with the evidence of winning the championship time and time again.
Quick Profile Summary Of Manqoba Mngqithi
- Name: Manqoba Mngqithi
- Age: 53 years old
- Date of Birth: 25th of April 1971
- Place of Birth: Umzimkhulu KwaZulu
- Nationality: South Africa
- Occupation: Football Coach
- Current Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
- Relationship Status: Married
- Children: Asavela Mngqithi
Manqoba Mngqithi Was Born On The 25th of April 1971
Though Manqoba Mngqithi tries to keep his life private, he has not kept his date of birth away from the public domain, as he celebrates his birthday on the 25th of April. The renowned coach was born in 1971, which means that he celebrated his 50th birthday in 2021.
He was born in Umzimkhulu KwaZulu Natal and completed his primary and secondary school education in KwaZulu Natal. Though there is no information regarding the primary, secondary or tertiary institution he attended, there are reports that he completed training for coaches that certifies him for his chosen career path.
He Started His Career As A Secondary School Teacher
Manqoba Mngqithi may be the coach of one of the best professional clubs in South Africa today, but he did not start as a coach. He started his career as a secondary school teacher but being someone who keeps a significant part of his life away from the public space, we do not know the name or location of the secondary school or schools where he worked.
After working as a secondary school teacher for a while, he finally began his coaching career in 2006 at Maritzburg City, a South Africa football club based in Pietermaritzburg. After which, he moved on to become the coach of Moja united. He also coached the Royal Tigers and University of KwaZulu-Natal team before getting a job with the PSL side, Golden Arrows FC, in 2007.
Coaching Golden Arrows Was The Next Step Manqoba Needed In His Coaching Career
Becoming the coach of the Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows was just the breakthrough Manqoba needed to take his career to another level. In the 2008/2009 season, under his management, the team made it to the final of the MTN competition and were able to bring the trophy back home after winning the match by 6-0 against Ajax Cape Town. Winning the tournament was not only a victory for the team; it was also a plus to the Manqoba Mngqithi’s resume.
After managing the Golden Arrows team from 2007 to 2010, he left to coach AmaZulu Football Club. His stay at Amazulu only lasted for a year, as he left them in 2011 for personal reasons. On leaving Amazulu FC, Manqoba Mngqithi became the coach of Chippa United in 2012. Unfortunately, coaching his new team did not last for so long as the season didn’t go as planned, and he had to leave his post before the end of his first season with the team.
He Became The Head Coach Of Mamelodi Sundowns In 2020
At the beginning of the 2012/2013 season, Manqoba Mngqithi returned to Golden Arrows to coach the team for just one season, after which he left in October 2013. That same year, he became the assistant manager of Mamelodi Sundowns FC.
Mngqithi worked as an assistant coach under PSL legendary coach Pitso Mosimane for seven years until 2020 when he became the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. He was announced alongside his co-head coaches, Rhulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela, and their time so far has been successful, with the Brazilians having won the PSL title in four straight seasons.
Summary Of All the Clubs Manqoba Mngqithi Had Coached
- Maritzburg City
- Moja United
- Royal Tigers
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Golden Arrows – Head Coach 2007 to 2010 | 2012 to 2013
- Amazulu – Head Coach (2011)
- Chippa United – Head Coach (2012)
- Mamelodi Sundowns – Assistant Coach (2013 – 2020)
- Mamelodi Sundowns – Head Coach (2020 to date)
Manqoba Mngqithi Is Said To Be Married, But His Wife Is Unknown
Despite being someone of public interest, Manqoba Mngqithi has managed to keep his private life away from the public. Aside from basic information about his state of birth and education, the only thing about his life that is open to the public is his work as a coach.
There are reports that the successful coach is happily married, but his wife’s identity is not known as Coach Mngqithi has refused to reveal her identity. Unlike Steve Komphela, who is always wearing his ring, Manqoba is rarely spotted with his marriage ring, making it difficult to confirm whether or not he is married.
He Is The Father Of A Renowned South African Actress
If the name ‘Mngqithi’ rings a bell besides being the surname of the Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, then it’s probably because you are a fan of the popular South Africa TV series, IsiBaya. Yes, Manqoba is the father of the popular South African actress, Asavela Mngqithi, known for her role as Ntwenhle, a young rebel in the popular South Africa TV series.
While her father is known as a talented football coach and is making exploits on the football pitch, his daughter, Asavela, is winning many hearts with her performances on IsiBaya. She is also a musician and has released two songs; Melusi Mbhele and Isgubhusama Zulu.
Asavela has taken after her father in terms of being mysterious about certain aspects of her life. Even though she is active on social media, nothing is known about her relationship life, and she still keeps her private life away from the public. Like her father, she has not revealed anything about her mother, and we cannot tell if her mother is the wife of Coach Manqoba Mngqithi or she was born to him by another woman.
