Manqoba Mngqithi insists Golden Arrows remains a work in progress despite derby win

LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows got their season back on track with a hard-fought 1-0 win over neighbors Richards Bay FC in their Betway Premiership clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.

Junior Dion proved to be the difference between the two sides, as his second-half strike ensured Arrows bounced back from their opening-day defeat against Siwelele FC, while also securing bragging rights in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.

In a match where Abafana Bes’thende spent large spells on the back foot, they will take confidence from grinding out a timely result in the wake of their confidence-denting first loss.

Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi was pleased to leave with maximum points, though he admitted his side did not fully control the match and still has plenty to work on even through victory.

“The whole of the first half I was not happy with our output in the final third,” Mngqithi said after his side’s win.

“In the second half, Richards Bay came in stronger, and they put a lot of pressure in our box. The good thing about them is that with any half chance, they are always looking to take a shot, and that is probably the biggest difference between us and them.

“Overall performance was okay; I will not say it was good, because we struggled to keep control of the game. Even when we had some good passing moments, we were edgy; we never really put our foot on the ground.

“We will improve, and it was good that we got the result. We were edgy, and it was probably coming from the previous performance and the mistakes we made, because we have committed some silly mistakes. I do not know what is happening, because in pre-season we were very clean.”

While the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor believes his squad has enough quality, he has not ruled out adding reinforcements.

“We have got a very good bunch of players; it’s just unfortunate that some of them are still carrying some minor injuries.

“It would be nice to add one or two players, but I am not rushing into that. I must make sure that I build on what I have. We are hoping to get some new players to add to our spine—one or two—and I am optimistic it will happen.”

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel was positive about his side’s effort and application on the night but lamented their inability to deliver the killer blow when they had Arrows under pressure for much of the game.

The defeat leaves the Natal Rich Boys without a point from their opening two fixtures, with a daunting meeting against a high-flying Kaizer Chiefs next on the schedule.

“The first half was a balanced display, and we evened each other out,” Gabriel said after the match.

“In the second half, we started to take control of the game, and eventually we took full control in terms of possession, final-third entries, and creating goal-scoring chances.

“The finishing touches were an area we feel we have to be more ruthless in. When we have opponents against the wall, like how it happened this evening, we will work on converting the chances.

“In terms of the performance, the group gave a tremendous display; we were on top of the game, and it was one we did not have to lose. 

“It was a game we could have taken three points from easily. Fantastic goal by Dion—it’s those types of goals that give you the points—but we are happy with the performance, and we will get it right in future games.”