DURBAN – Lamontville Golden Arrows want to add salt into Kaizer Chiefs wounds when the two sides meet in an Absa Premiership clash at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu tonight (7.30pm).
Amakhosi are still reeling from their 2-0 Nedbank Cup semifinal defeat to Free State Stars, a result that saw coach Steve Komphela resigning following a riot by angry fans.
Arrows assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, who worked with Komphela at Free State Stars and Maritzburg United, said they are keen to take advantage of Chiefs’s woes.
“We need points. It doesn’t matter who we are coming up against. We don’t want to win fancy. All that matters is maximum points. We want to take advantage of their situation."
"We hope it benefits us. We know that it is going to be a very tricky encounter. We don’t know what to expect of Chiefs after the change of leadership,” Ncikazi explained.
Patrick Mabedi has been appointed caretaker until the end of the season and will be assisted by Arthur Zwane.
“When a team changes a coach, all the players go out to impress. So, we must be aware of the danger and the threat that Chiefs can pose. They are still a big team despite what happened over the weekend.”
Arrows are trying to run away from relegation while Chiefs are eager to secure the Confederation Cup third place.
Ncikazi said he spoke to Komphela after his resignation: “Steve understands what happened to him. He knows that if you are in football, such will always happen. There are no pensions in football. Even those who are doing well, at some stage they will leave their teams.”
He praised Komphela’s bravery: “I’ve never seen a man as gallant as Steve. It is not easy to coach in top flight football and it is even worse at Chiefs. He has grown after his stay with Chiefs.”
“Football is about results. Even if you are playing with seven players you have to deliver results. Unfortunately Steve didn’t have luck to get those results at Chiefs. But he will come back stronger.”