Golden Arrows will have to be at their very best when it comes tactical flexibility to stop the heavy train of Mamelodi Sundowns, who once again lead from the front ahead of the rest in two matches in the DStv Premiership.
Arrows will face leaders Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday (17:00) after picking up four points in two matches – drawing against Moroka Swallows and defeating Richards Bay.
Last season, Arrows in the first two matches, lost both and were rooted to the bottom of the table, but this season they sit fourth with four points, which has left coach Vusi Vilakazi encouraged by his team’s start.
Sundowns, on the other hand, their gravy train has not stopped to be a threat as they have collected all six points and are also in the MTN8 semi-final after beating Swallows on Saturday.
“I think we will work very hard, we know very well that we will be facing a very strong side,” warned Vilakazi.
“A lot of tactics and tactical work will be needed in terms of trying to make sure that we match them. But I think with the confidence that we have going to the game against Sundowns, I think that will help us a lot.
“We just need to respect the principles of football in order to find ourselves victorious.”
However, Arrows have not picked up three points against Sundowns away in 15 years. The last time they did it was a good day in the office as they crushed the Tshwane giants 4-2, when Sundowns assistant coach Manqoba Mngqithi was in charge.
Goals by Kagisho Dikgacoi, Joseph Musonda and two from the late Richard Hanyekane, who later played for Sundowns, saw them walk away victorious but they have not come close to emulating that since then.
“The agreement we have with technical staff is that we want to find ourselves in a decent position, the top eight this season,” added Vilakazi, whose side finished ninth last term.
“But also we want to challenge for silverware, it’s been long since the team won – 2009/10 season. So we are prepared to work very hard and dig deep in terms of making sure that we get silverware at least one this season and (finish in) the decent position.”
