Reports of coach Clinton Larsen being fired by early Absa Premiership leaders Golden Arrows on the eve of Tuesday’s match against Supersport United were rubbished by the club.
Instead Larsen was on duty preparing the squad for the clash in KwaMashu, according to Arrows chief executive Gordon Masondo. “It’s all hogwash and basically a bad story gone viral. The coach is here with me now, and we are discussing preparations for the game,” said Masondo.
The official added the club had no idea where the report emanated from, and believed it was circulated in order to destabilise Arrows following a positive start to the season.
Before yesterday’s matches, the Durban outfit were the surprise log leaders with nine points from four matches, two more than Orlando Pirates, Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City. Heading into this Supersport battle at Princess Magogo Stadium, Arrows registered a hat-trick of victories against Cape Town City, Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Boasting an unchanged squad from the Celtic outing, Arrows will be upbeat about extending their unbeaten run to four matches. The last time Arrows won three on the trot was in 2010/11 when they accounted for Vasco Da Gama 2-0, neighbours Maritzburg United 3-0, and Free State Stars 2-0.
That unbeaten run was extended with a 1-1 draw at Celtic. However the campaign ended with a lowly 11th place finish. Veteran defender Musa Bilankulu can enlighten his younger team-mates about that season and warn them that it is too early to relax. After overcoming tonight’s challenge Arrows will have enough time to rest and take stock because the league goes on a fortnight’s recess for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
It will be a stiff challenge too. Supersport won’t feel like a visiting team. They are in Durban since last week when they opened their victory account with a 2-0 win at Maritzburg United. The Pretoria big spenders followed it up with a goalless meeting against Free State in uMlazi at the weekend, and will be keen to end their KZN tour on an unbeaten note.
Stuart Baxter will be without veteran defender Morgan Gould who is suspended tonight. Larsen however can stick with the same squad that edged Celtic 2-1. Consistency of selection has been pivotal to Arrows’ run. Eight players have played every match thus far, and 10 have featured in their last two assignments.
It could require something special from Supersport’s Jeremy Brockie and Kingston Nkhatha or Arrows attacker Lerato Lamola to see the net bulge. Tight defences have been the foundation of their last three matches. Supersport haven’t conceded in that run, while Arrows let in one goal.