Sponsorless Arrows have target set on a top eight

Despite the lack of commercial backing, Arrows chairman Mato Madlala did well to put together a decent squad last season.

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Durban - There is probably nothing that highlights Golden Arrows’ challenge for a place in the football sun more than the fact that they have to produce their own playing kit.

They did this last season and will do so again this term, because the words “sponsorship” and “Golden Arrows” don’t seem to fit in the same sentence any longer.

“If you know somebody who might be willing to get involved with us, then please let us know,” affable Arrows chief executive Gordon Masondo said with a mixture of humour and seriousness the other day.

But, despite the lack of commercial backing, Arrows chairman Mato Madlala, who is still the only female soccer boss in the top flight, and acting chief executive of the Premier Soccer League at present, did well to put together a decent squad last season, mainly through loan deals with the richer clubs in Gauteng, and the result was a satisfying ninth-place finish.

The outfit from the south of Durban have again brought in some useful players and this means their fans won’t have to worry about starting out as relegation candidates again.

Ten players have been hired so far, including striker Lerato Lamola from Celtic, defender Limbikani Mzava from Aces and midfielder Danny Phiri from Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn. One foreign berth is still open, partly because the club’s two Namibian internationals, Max Mbaeva in goal and Chris Katjiukua in defence, have been registered as non-foreigners.

Of the six clubs that represent KZN in the country’s two professional leagues, AmaZulu are the only team that enjoy a title sponsorship, but that is largely because an executive from the sponsor owns a stake in the club.

Arrows have, surprisingly, moved their playing base to Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, north of Durban, but a move down the league standings is not envisioned by Masondo, Madladla and company.

 

Analysis

When “Abafana Bes’thende” returned to the top flight last season after one term of hard labour in the First Division, their main objective appeared to be a typical one of looking for stability in the Premiership. But they achieved more than that and almost booked a place in the MTN8.

That was thanks to the club securing loan deals for several respected and experienced players, as well as the smarts of two coaches who, comically, swopped roles at Arrows and Celtic during the season, Serame Letsoaka and Clinton Larsen. Larsen will clearly be targeting a top-eight finish this term with just under a dozen new players in the squad.

Many of these players have finished in the top eight or higher with some of their previous clubs, including under Larsen’s own guidance at Celtic, so the potential for MTN8 football next season is there, provided the team’s rate of scoring improves. Lerato Lamola, one of the old Celtic men reunited with Larsen, appears the spearhead at present, but more competition is needed for him and Larsen wants to bring in one more striker.

 

Key man - Kudakwashe Mahachi

With last season’s standout midfielder Gladwin Shitolo having returned to Pirates after a productive loan spell in Durban, and with striker Gabadinho Mahango having moved to Wits after his own loan period, it is former Sundowns “sprinter” Kudakwashe Mahachi who promises to be a key man.

The Zimbabwean’s pace, agility and attacking spirit were useful during his loan from Sundowns last season. Those assets will be useful to the Durbanites again this season, after the 23-year-old could not secure a permanent place at Sundowns, especially after a change in PSL rules in July meant the Brazilians could not keep loaning out foreigners until they decided when to recall them. Mahachi fits into a quick style of play that features several new recruits that Larsen worked with at Celtic, including Lamola and Wayde Jooste.

New signings

Lerato Lamola (Celtic), Wayde Jooste (Celtic), Vuyani Ntanga (Celtic), Limbikani Mzava (Aces), Lehlohonolo Nonyane (Aces), Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Lee Langeveldt (Milano United), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Sundowns), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Siphelele Magubane (FC Cape Town)

Previously

Last five seasons: 9th, First Division champions, 16th, 13th, 13th

The Star