Lamontville Golden Arrows assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi admits that he would be playing Kaizer Chiefs at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in this weekend – if he had things his way.
Abafana Bes’thende have moved the match against the Absa Premiership leaders from their regular home of the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont to the 2010 World Cup venue.
The move is essential because of the opposition and the support they command, with around 50 000 expected to attend the game in central Durban as opposed to the 10 000 at their usual home.
Ncikazi understands the logic but does not agree.
What is illogical about the decision is the fact that Chiefs use the Moses Mabhida Stadium as their second home during the season, meaning that essentially, Arrows have turned a home game into an away one.
The venue is probably where Chiefs receive their best support throughout the campaign.
Ncikazi says the coaching staff have no choice in the decision.
Arrows have been outstanding in Clermont in 2019/20, unbeaten in seven out of their eight matches there.
Five out of those games have resulted in victories, two in draws and one in defeat, which was against reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
They also stunned the Brazilians in the township ground during the Telkom Knockout. Ncikazi insisted that Arrows also have a good away record in recent seasons and banked on those numbers to help them against the high-flying Soweto giants.
Meanwhile, Ncikazi has confirmed that Arrows are not in the market for any players during the current January transfer window.
The club has parted company with three players, thus far though, namely Siphelele Magubane, Richard Matloga and Bongani Kama. However, there will not be any intake, according to Steve Komphela’s number two.
– Report by Thahir Asmal
