Advertisement

Royal AM hoping for third time lucky in Arrows derby

football12 May 2022 13:51| © Backpage TXT
Share
article image
Victor Letsoalo © Gallo Images

Royal AM will attempt to get their bid for Caf Champions League football back on track when they face Golden Arrows in a local derby at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Thwihli Thwahla's challenge has gone off the rails since they beat University of Pretoria in the Nedbank Cup semifinals on April 10, having failed to win their last three matches in the DStv Premiership.

This will be their third KZN derby in the space of three weeks after the Durban outfit drew 0-0 with AmaZulu on April 24 before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Maritzburg United last week.

John Maduka's side have slipped to third in the standings on 45 points, three adrift of Cape Town City but with a game in hand.

Royal CEO Sinky Mnisi insists the club is ready to compete on the African stage, given what has been achieved in their debut season in the top flight.

"When we started in the DStv Premiership and brought the two teams [Bloemfontein Celtic and Royal] together in two days, I told everybody who cared that we were going to be in the top eight," Mnisi said.

"Everybody knows about that and as a matter of fact, I think we have overachieved by not only being in the top eight, but there's a strong possibility that we might be going to Africa. We are more than ready for that challenge."

Abafana Bes'thende drew 0-0 with Marumo Gallants last time out to pick up their sixth point out of a possible 12 since Vusumuzi Vilakazi replaced Lehlohonolo Seema at the helm a month ago.

Arrows beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in Vilakazi's second game in charge to complete the league double over the Soweto giants, although they were brought back down to earth with a 1-0 loss to Baroka a week later.

Vilakazi's team still have a chance to finish in the top eight as they trail SuperSport United by just one point in ninth place with two matches left to play.

"Our game against Royal AM is not going to be easy considering that we are playing a derby and in the first round we played (out to) a draw against them," he said.

"I think it's going to be a different ball-game come Saturday because we need these three points in order to find ourselves in the top eight so it's going to be a very serious assignment for us to make things happen and get the three points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Golden Arrows

Michael Gumede: The 28-year-old forward started on the bench against Gallants, but came on for Knox Mutizwa in the 67th minute to make his 28th appearance of the season. Gumede's recent winner against Amakhosi was his sixth goal of the campaign and he is the club's joint-top scorer alongside Mutizwa.

Lungelo Dube: The 27-year-old midfielder has become an increasingly influential member of the first team this term after starting all but one of Arrows' 12 league games in 2022. Dube has racked up 21 appearances to date, although he is still searching for his first goal in Arrows colours.

Royal AM

Victor Letsoalo: Maduka decided to rest the 29-year-old winger against the Team of Choice, but was forced to bring him on at the start of the second half with Royal trailing at the break. Letsoalo came close to equalising with a free header at the back post, only to see the goalkeeper deny him what would have been a 15th league goal of the campaign.

Zukile Mkhize: The right-sided midfielder has been key to Thwihli Thwahla's emergence in the top flight, making 22 appearances while contributing two goals and three assists in the process. Mkhize will be hoping to feature this weekend after being given the day off against Maritzburg.

Advertisement