Komphela wants Arrows to put top-flight relegation fears to bed

STEVE KOMPHELA knows that Golden Arrows are not yet safe from relegation.

Komphela wants his troops to work diligently so that they can reach a level where they can be able to challenge for the top eight.

He is cognisant that they are yet to reach the level where they can safely say that their PSL status is secure for next season.

Abafana Bes’thende narrowly lost to Orlando Pirates at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont in a league encounter on Saturday. Justin Shonga netted the winner for the Sea Robbers in a very tight game.

Komphela explained what it will take for Arrows to escape the relegation zone and challenge for the top eight.

“It is crucial for everybody to reach that 30-point mark. It is a dog eat dog world. In terms of statistics in South Africa, you should be safe at 30 and 33 points and then at 40 and 42 points you are in a top eight and 60 upwards you win the league,” Komphela said.

Arrows are now 10th on the league standings with 25 points after 22 games. They are five points clear of 15th-placed Free State Stars and five points behind seventh-placed Bloemfontein Celtic.

“The figures are there. I don’t care whether you are at position one, but if you haven’t hit 30 points and then you are still in the margins of relegation. If you are still haven’t reached 40, you still in the margins of top eight,” Komphela said.

“If you still haven’t reached 60,you still in the margins of the championship meaning that championship is two points per match.

“In a group of five games, you have to get something like seven points for a top eight and then you will be 40 and above.

“Clearly we haven’t reach that mark. Many teams haven’t reached that mark. So, it is a still a struggle.”

Arrows will travel to Limpopo next weekend to face Polokwane City in the league.

“You can see how difficult it gets now that it is mental. Everything is bringing stress, tactics, physical components and all that. The difference between us and Pirates today was a bit of belief (from their side). It is important to get points.” Komphela said.