Arrows played some of their best attacking football of the season but were ultimately undone by a lack of clinical finishing — and a heroic performance from veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi — as they lost 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra-time.
Goals from Isaac Cisse and Nqubeko Dlamini had given the KwaZulu-Natal side hope of a home final, but Gallants fought back through Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Daniel Msendami before holding their nerve in the shootout to set up a final clash with Orlando Pirates.
In his post-match reflections, Mngqithi admitted that while his team played the better football, the result came down to moments they failed to seize.
"The last 15 or 20 minutes of the second half, we should have scored maybe one or two goals, or even three," said the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
"In extra-time, I don't think I've ever seen a team create so many chances in 15 minutes"."
However, Mngqithi was unimpressed with Gallants' approach, accusing them of prioritising penalties over playing to win.
"They knew Arubi was strong on penalties, so they played for that," he added.
"Not impressed with their football, but they're in the final. Impressed with our football, but not in the final — that's football for you."
Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. has defended the club's decision to entrust assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze with leading the team following the departure of former head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Richards Bay FC co-coach Papi Zothwane admitted his side defended too deep during their 2–0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Wednesday evening.
Abdeslam Ouaddou says his Orlando Pirates team are prepared to "die on the pitch" to fulfil their dream of lifting the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership title.
Orlando Pirates returned to the top of the Betway Premiership after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Richards Bay at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Wednesday evening.
