Maccabi still finding feet

Ailing Golden Arrows are in for a tough time today as they host Kaizer Chiefs who will be high on confidence after a big win in a Caf Confederation Cup match in midweek.

Abafana Bes’thende have been limping without some of their tried and tested soldiers and have gone four games without a win.

Their last win was at the beginning of October when they beat Black Leopards 1-0 at home.

Since then they have lost twice to Baroka – in a league and a cup game – and drawn against Free State Stars and SuperSport United.

Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi was quoted earlier in the week as saying he hoped Chiefs would lose to Zanzibar team Zimamoto so they could be low on confidence going into today’s match at Princess Magogo Stadium – the game starts at 3.30pm.

Arrows will be without the likes of Sandile Zuke, Danny Phiri, Devine Lunga and Zolani Nkombelo who are nursing various injuries.

Ncikazi didn’t get his wish as Amakhosi demolished Zimamoto 4-0, a result Giovanni Solinas believes has brought back confidence to his team.

“We did well to dominate them. I’m impressed by the reaction from the lads after the derby defeat. They really showed hunger and commitment to bounce back from that.

“The victory has been a good boost for the team’s morale,” said the Italian mentor after the match.

Khama Billiat – who scored a hat-trick in midweek and was a contant thorn in the visitors’ side – should have his confidence back and lead Amakhosi from the front this evening.

Kabelo Mahlasela also scored his first goal for Chiefs.

“I am happy for the two lads. Strikers must get this kind of game to return to their scoring ways,” said Solinas.

Solinas has vowed his team will climb up the standings and says playing a weakened Arrows side is a good opportunity to do just that.

However, they have not been lucky in Durban in recent times. Maccabi FC are gradually growing their support base at their new home venue at Dobsonville Stadium and coach Mokete Tsotetsi (above) sees their campaign in the Nedbank Cup as a chance to advertise the team to a wider audience.

Tsotsetsi’s side begin their Ke Yona campaign with a National First Division preliminary match against University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium today at 3pm. Maccabi have done fairly well in their first season in the NFD as they are fifth with 18 points after 12 games.

“It has been great so far. It has not been a walk in the park but it has been good,” said Tsotetsi.

Asked if he will be pushing for promotion in their first season in the paid ranks, Tsotetsi said he would not want to pile pressure on himself or his team.

“We are not there yet (promotion), we are finding our feet. But if towards the end of the season we see a chance to finish in the top three, we’ll go for it,” he said.

Maccabi used to play their games at the Italian Sports Club in Germiston in the ABC Motsepe League but moved to Dobsonville this season where they have struggled to attract crowds.

“Yes, that is what we want. We want to expose the team. We used to play in the northern suburbs and we are now in Soweto.

“Advancing further will help us to expose the players,” he said.

AmaTuks are not easy to beat and Tsotetsi knows that as he had to settle for a point in a league game earlier this season.

Maccabi defender and Tsotsetsi’s former team-mate at Jomo Cosmos, Thapelo Tshilo, said they are aware of AmaTuks’ threat.

“We drew with them. We know how they approach games,” he said.

AmaTuks rely on experienced striker Mame Niang but that doesn’t faze Tshilo who has faced the Togolese a few times already.

“I have played against Mame Niang before and I know his strong points and also his weaknesses.”