Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi remains optimistic that they can still finish in the top eight by the end of the season following their 1-0 loss to AmaZulu at Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday.

Abafana Bes’thende currently sit in 12th position in the Betway Premiership table with 26 points from 22 games, three points away from the playoff spot and four points away from the top eight position.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician believes that they can still finish the season in the top eight while also noting the team’s improvement.

“The good thing is that these boys are willing to learn. I’m very pleased with the whole lot of positives that I see within the group. And the improvement, even physically, I think they’ve adapted because the type of games that we’re playing is very demanding, and they’ve adapted fairly well in making sure that we’re able to sustain good football actions. When I started, we would have a very good first half, and the second half would be dead.” Mngqithi stated.

“Now we’re able to sustain these football actions, but we just need to help ourselves because sometimes we work even harder when we did not take our chances earlier because once you’ve taken a lead, then you take control of the game, the game is played at the tempo that suits you.”

He continued: “Now we’re able to sustain these football actions, but we just need to help ourselves because sometimes we work even harder when we did not take our chances earlier because once you’ve taken a lead, then you take control of the game; the game is played at the tempo that suits you,” he said.

Furthermore, Mngqithi is happy with the players who haven’t been playing much for the team and recognizes their contribution to the team.

“No, I wouldn’t say that because I think I’m happy with the contribution of the players that we got so late in the season, and I think they are contributing fairly well to what we’re trying to do. Sabelo Sithole was strong in the previous match; even on Saturday, with better touches here and there, he could have been the decider of the match. Thabo Matlaba had an outstanding match; he got tired in the later stages because we never anticipated using him early in the match.

“Unfortunately, when Brandon Theron had to go out then he was the main option for that. It’s something that we would not anticipate because I was sure he was going to give us a very good 45 minutes, but now he was stretched to more than 60 minutes, and that was difficult, but otherwise I think the impact and contribution of all the players that have not been playing regularly, even with the club, it’s looking good. 

“Unfortunately, we lost Themba [Matshinyane] to a long-term injury. You have to find that combination and make it work, but truth be told, I think there are a lot of positives than negatives,” he added.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit will now focus on hosting Stellenbosch FC at Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday [15:00]. 

Article by Kamogelo Ndlovu