Arrows ready for a Knox out blow

Knox Mutizwa and his Arrows teammates are prepared to go all the way against Maritzburg. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Knox Mutizwa and his Arrows teammates are prepared to go all the way against Maritzburg. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Published Dec 13, 2017

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LAMONTVILLE – Golden Arrows want to wrap the first half of the PSL on a high note by beating their arch-rivals Maritzburg United in the KwaZulu-Natal derby. The two teams lock horns at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Sunday afternoon.

Abafana Bes’thende commenced the season in some style by occupying the top spot on the 18-team Absa Premiership table for several weeks but they the victories have suddenly run out.

Just this weekend they lost 1-0 at home to the Mamelodi Sundowns that has taken over the league leadership, the Brazilians’ win coming courtesy of a Bangaly Soumahoro strike.

Arrows are winless in their last eight matches in all competitions, a poor run striker Knox Mutizwa wants ended.

“We will go and die on the field against Maritzburg United. We must win that game. We can’t go in to the Christmas break (being) out of the top 8. Everyone knows this game is very important. The supporters must keep on coming in their numbers. They must keep on supporting us. We promise we won’t disappoint them,” Mutizwa explained.

Arrows’ last victory came on September 21 when they beat Platinum Stars 1-0, thanks to Kudakwashe Mahachi’s goal.

“We are very disappointed that we haven’t won in so many matches.

“We are also struggling to get goals. (On Sunday) we tried our best but at the end of the day the results didn’t go our way. We must keep on pushing and working hard. We started the season well and a lot of teams were watching us and they have mastered how we play by coming up with a gameplan to stop us.”

And it is not that Arrows have lost self-belief.

“I don’t think it is lack of confidence. We work hard at training and we will keep on pushing with the hope that things will go our way,” Mutizwa explained.

Despite their good run, Arrows have actually been awful at home where they have won just once. Interestingly that win was in the other KZN derby, against AmaZulu.

They have played to stalemates against the likes of Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Cape Town City.

Mutizwa, who set himself a target of scoring 15 goals, has struggled to hit the target as much as he would have liked to.

“I’m dejected with my goal tally but if I keep on working hard the goals will come. God will assist and I will keep on praying. I still believe I will reach my target,” said the player who has found the opposition net a on a mere three occasions.

The Star

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