Komphela sharpens blunt Arrows before derby
Coach works on porous defence ahead of KZN clash
Leaky defence is an aspect Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela is giving special attention to as they look to improve ahead of the remaining DStv Premiership matches.
Komphela joined Arrows earlier this month, and was in charge for only one match when he guided his side to end their poor run with a 1-0 victory. He used the Fifa International break to work on his defence, which has conceded 26 goals in 20 matches this season.
As his side prepares to host Richards Bay in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale, Durban, on Saturday at 3.30pm, Komphela admitted they need to improve in that department.
“Even in practice matches. We played Royal AM, we conceded two goals and won 3-2. We played AmaZulu last week, we conceded two goals and scored three,” Komphela explained to the media during the club’s open day yesterday.
“So it means we scored six goals and conceded four. It’s too much and looking at the number of chances we created, there were many. We just need to be more structured, more alert and become stingy with goals.
“But again, someone will ask you ... which do you prefer, a strong defensive team and not scoring, playing 0-0, or a team that is still working on its defence and scoring high? I would take any time 32 than 0-0.
“But we know that we should not be conceding too much. There are areas where we realise that individual mistakes are costly that we can work on.”
After winning his first match in charge, against Polokwane City, before the recess, Komphela warned against taking the Natal Rich Boyz for granted as they were desperate for points to move away from the relegation zone.
“I think they are desperate for points. They know that it is more important to play league matches than cup games at this stage for them,” he said.
“With that said, they are still a good team. There are a lot of good players and you can’t underestimate the power they have.
“Sometimes it happens in football that the players you have are not exactly at the level of expectations with regards to points.
“And that does not make them a bad team. They are still dangerous, it is a derby and their coach [Vusumuzi Vilakazi] worked with us. He understands our DNA.
“He knows exactly how we think and how we behave. I worked with him. He knows what I think, so it will be difficult.”