DURBAN - Kudakwashe Mahachi wants to repay the chairperson of Lamontville Golden Arrows, Mato Madlala, for supporting him by helping the Durban side go deep into the Telkom Knockout.
Abafana Bes’thende will face Orlando Pirates at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Saturday when the two clubs meet in the first round of the competition.
“Mama Mato helped me when I lost my daughter last year. It was very painful and I couldn’t focus. She kept me going. She sat down with me and offered me advice until I was healed. At that time, I was still contracted to Mamelodi Sundowns. I even lost form because of the pain I went through when I lost my four-year-old daughter," the midfielder explained
"Now is time to repay her with something for showing faith in me. Last season we reached the Top 8 and this season I would like to contribute by helping the team win one of the cup competitions. If it means this one, so be it."
Arrows are still unbeaten this season in open play. They’ve lost only once, to Bidvest Wits on penalties in the quarter-final of the MTN8. They are yet to taste defeat in the league after nine Absa Premiership outings - the club has currently won three games and drawn six and sit on second spot.
“It is not magic. We started building for this season during the second round of last season. We want to take it one game at a time. We won’t get carried away,” Mahachi explained.
"We are playing one of the biggest teams in the country this weekend. It is not going to be easy. We have only won one game at home this season and we are hungry to improve that record. Our confidence is high and we are ready for Pirates."
Arrows are still searching for that seemingly elusive victory against Pirates in a cup competition. Last season the two sides met twice and Pirates won both clashes in the Telkom Knockout and the Nedbank.
“We are not looking for any revenge. What happened last season is history for now. Our focus is the game on Saturday,” Mahachi concluded.
The match kicks-off at 3.30pm.