Golden Arrows will be looking to put a dampener on Moroka Swallows' start to life under Steve Komphela in their DStv Premiership opener at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Komphela left his role at Mamelodi Sundowns last month to take up the reins at the Dobsonville Stadium and has been tasked with establishing Swallows in the top eight.
The Dube Birds looked set be involved in another relegation scrap last term after Dylan Kerr and Ernst Middendorp failed to get the best of out the players, but Musa Nyatama managed to turn their fortunes around and secured an eighth-placed finish.
Nyatama will serve as Komphela's assistant as they look to bring back the glory days at the Soweto club, who have been living in the shadow of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for decades now.
Fixture Alert
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Golden Arrows VS Moroka Swallows
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However, Arrows co-coach Mabhuti Khenyeza is unfazed by Komphela's arrival at Swallows and claims the experienced coach will be under more pressure to get a result on the opening weekend.
"I think maybe he's the one who'll be more worried about us, how we prepare our approach," Khenyeza said. "But for us, it's clear because we know coach Steve, especially from Free State [Stars], Celtic, Arrows and whatsoever.
"Yes, he's been there [for quite some time] in the game. I think we know his ways. He once coached this club, and I think he's the one who'll be skeptical a bit on how we'll prepare for him.
"Now, I mean that we won't be worried about Swallows and coach Steve. But we'll be worried about how our team functions on the day on the field, our tactical demands and approach."
Abafana Bes'thende did the league double over the Dube Birds in 2022-23, winning 4-0 in the corresponding fixture before triumphing 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium.
In fact, Swallows haven't come out on top in this fixture since 18 March 2014 when they edged Arrow 1-0 on home soil.
Komphela pulled off a coup last month with the acquisition of veteran midfielder Andile Jali from his former employers. The 33-year-old enjoyed a successful five-year spell with the Brazilians, winning eight trophies, including five consecutive league titles.
But Jali decided to move on in the off-season after featuring just 15 times in all competitions for Masandawana last term, with Komphela tipping him to make a big impact for Swallows if he can stay fit.
"He is top, you can't question the quality Andile has. As I said, he always gets a way to influence people," the 56-year-old tactician said.
"Jali is always involved. He impacts others. What else do you want? And that is the sign of a top player, but the biggest challenge is that there has to be an output, he must start to perform.
"We understand the challenges of fitness, pre-season and all that. We hope he won't get injured."
"He ticks all those boxes – do we need a player of his caliber? Yes. Would he have the influence? Yes. Would he have the impact? Yes. Would he improve us? Yes. Would he evolve anyone? Yes." ~ Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela on Andile Jali.https://t.co/ZtHYSQrERW pic.twitter.com/E2YQNrvi9V
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) July 26, 2023
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Golden Arrows:
Knox Mutizwa: The Zimbabwean striker was the joint-top scorer for Arrows last season alongside Pule Mmodi with six goals. Mutizwa enjoyed a purple patch between January and March, scoring six times in eight games, although the goals dried up in the final two months of the campaign. With Mmodi having since departed for Kaizer Chiefs, Mutizwa will be expected to carry the burden for Abafana Bes'thende.
Moroka Swallows:
Andile Jali: The 33-year-old midfielder brings with him a wealth of experience to Swallows and will be tasked with keeping the midfield ticking over alongside fellow new signing Lantshene Phalane. Jali made 12 league appurtenances for Downs in their 2022-23 title-winning campaign, but played no part in their run to the CAF Champions League semifinals.