Golden Arrows in need of a spark ahead of KZN derby clash with Richards Bay FC

Golden Arrows are in desperate need of a spark to get their season back on track as they prepare to visit Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership KZN derby on Saturday at the King Zwelithini Stadium (3pm kick-off).

Abafana Bes’thende have unexpectedly dug a huge hole for themselves. While their fate remains in their own hands, they will be ruing the missed opportunity to secure a top-eight finish — something they have failed to achieve in the past three seasons.

Arrows currently sit 14th on the table, just three points ahead of 15th-placed Cape Town City, after a string of poor results has seen them collect only five points from their last eight matches.

Manqoba Mngqithi and his charges have lost four of their last five encounters, with their most concerning performance coming in a 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates, where they failed to replicate the promising form they had shown earlier in the season.

The former Sundowns mentor will know all too well that they must strike form quickly to avoid unnecessary complications as the season draws to a close. But their task will not be made any easier by a Richards Bay side that already beat them 1-0 in the reverse fixture.

The Natal Rich Boyz have not had it easy this season either, starting out under the guidance of Brandon Truter — who was eventually let go — with the threat of relegation constantly lingering over their campaign. Now, under interim coach Ronnie Gabriel, they find themselves slightly better positioned.

They currently sit on 29 points, while Cape Town City (23 points) can only match that total if they win their remaining two fixtures. 

Gabriel’s side also hold a superior goal difference over both Arrows and City, which could prove decisive if it comes down to the wire. Mathematically, Richards Bay are still under threat, but given how the season has unfolded, it would take a remarkable turn of fortune for the Cape side to overturn the goal difference in their favour.

Having narrowly survived relegation last season by winning the play-offs against the University of Pretoria and Baroka FC, Richards Bay will be looking to avoid a similar fate this time around. Their recent results suggest some stability — but in a derby where pride and survival are both at stake, anything can happen.

Lindokuhle Zikhali was the difference the last time the two sides met at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale, as the Natal Rich Boys walked away with a 1-0 win.

On current form, they come into the clash the better placed of the two sides, having picked up six valuable points from their last five encounters.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, have it all to do. While they have shown glimpses of resilience in patches this season, their lack of consistency and defensive fragility remain their biggest undoing.