Joslin Kamatuka of Durban City battles Lamontville Golden Arrows defender Oumar Komara in the Durban derby as the two teams prepare for a league encounter.
Image: Jehran Naidoo
LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi didn't seem to be stressed out about their upcoming encounter with Durban City this weekend.
The two neighbours meet at King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
It's the second Durban derby in less than a month between these two teams, with the Citizens sneaking a victory over Arrows in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final last time in the previous encounter.
As the league enters a crunch time, Arrows and City will be looking to seize as many points as possible to prop themselves up for a top finish. For Arrows, with this being their home game, a win is crucial for the players to bounce back especially after their 5-0 loss to Orlando Pirates earlier this week.
Despite that humiliating loss, Mngqithi believes they have a squad capable of beating the best in the league.
"I believe we have a team that is capable of overcoming any team on any given day. We were unfortunate in the previous match but even there, if you look at the game closely you will see that we created a lot of clear chances," he added, citing the numerous one-on-one chances Arrows had with the keeper.
Durban City's defensive play has been good this season considering their lack of experience in the league, with Mfanafuthi Mkhize and Siphamandla Ncanana being a key figures in the heart of that structure.
But Mngqithi isn't too convinced yet, pointing to the cracks in their set-up that allowed numerous players to enter a one-on-one goal chance with their keeper Darren Keet.
Mngqithi suggested City's defence was not a clear reflection of the scoresheet at times, as Sundowns would have walked away with more goals had they not hit the woodwork.
"They fought and played well against Sundowns and they have been a good team defensively. In the cup game against us we missed three sitters. But I am not saying they are not a good team defensively," Mngqithi said of Pitso Dladla newboys.
The former Sundowns mentor, Mngqithi, underlined the fact City were a little bit more precise on the day of their last meeting, meaning Arrows will have to level up in terms of concentration come this weekend.
Arrows' mauling at the hands of Pirates will decieve many of their upcoming opponents. It is not that Abafana Bes'thende do not have the fire power upfront, in fact they have the hottest striker in the league right now in Junior Dion, who leads the scoring charts with 12 goals ahead of Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners.