Golden Arrows played out their third consecutive draw on Saturday, keeping them in the Top 8 hunt but leaving Coach Manqoba Mngqithi wanting more. With two games left and Junior Dion chasing the Golden Boot, can Abafana Bes’thende secure a strong finish? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Golden Arrows missed their opportunity to secure their Top 8 position after another draw on Saturday evening against Polokwane City. Their streak of three straight draws may have been enough to stay in the top half of the Betway Premiership standings but could it be enough to hold on?
Despite their recent form, coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes they will finish stronger as the league comes to a close. Abafana Besthende have come off two tough games — first against AmaZulu then a stubborn Polokwane City at home in Umlazi this past weekend.
The Amazulu game witnessed Arrows chasing the first half and then bouncing back in the second half to get a late equaliser. Saturday's 0-0 result shared with sixth-placed Rise and Shine was a little different; Arrows dominated the game but still couldn't break down a resolute defence.
The bottom three of the Top 8 are separated by a single point each, with Golden Arrows holding eighth spot with 37 points after 28 games. Polokwane City — on 39 points — leapfrogged Durban City (38 points) after taking a point on Saturday.
With a maximum six points to be claimed in the remaining two matches, Siwelele, Stellenbosch and Richards Bay — all on 33 points — remain in contention to usurp the KZN clubs into the lucrative Top 8. While Mngqithi believes they can finish in a better position, scoring goals has been a challenge for Arrows throughout the season.
"You don't get a lot of chances when you play against a low-block team, but the ones we created were good enough to win the game. So, I am a bit disappointed with the result," Mngqithi said.
The KZN outfit will go up against Chippa United next. Durban City have a more difficult task, heading to Orlando Stadium to face Orlando Pirates. The latter have created a sticky situation for themselves, having failed to win a single game in seven matches in the league.
Any slip up could over the next few weeks could see Arrows and Co losing out on the finishing in the Top 8.
Nonetheless, Arrows and Polokwane City, for that matter, look the more consistent.
"I have to win them (the last two games). I want to finish in a better position. I am sure I will finish in the Top 8, but I want to finish in a better position inside the Top 8," Mngqithi explained.
The league's top scorer and Arrows’ most successful striker this season, Junior Dion, was back in the team on Saturday but struggled to find his rhythm. Dion has two games left to seal the top-scorer accolade, currently sitting on 13 goals – one ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch.