Arrows ready for ‘war’ against winless AmaZulu
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate was asked this week whether Harry Kane was “undroppable” but the same question must now be raised about Raheem Sterling who he described as “unstoppable” after a dazzling display against Kosovo on Tuesday.
The Manchester City forward scored England’s equaliser and provided three first-half assists in a pulsating 5-3 victory to keep his side top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group A.
Sterling has now scored six goals in four matches during the qualifying campaign, the same as Kane, and eight in his last eight appearances for his country, on top of four assists.
The raw material was always there but Sterling often appeared to be trying too hard, complicating things and failing to offer an end-product to his jinking runs.
City boss Pep Guardiola has harnessed Sterling’s many weapons, however, and turned him into one of the most-feared forward’s in world football – both as a goalscorer and creator, as was witnessed at St Mary’s on Tuesday.
“Raheem’s two performances (against Bulgaria and Kosovo) have been of the highest level,” Southgate said. “He has been almost unstoppable. His awareness of where defenders were, his vision and desire to get in on goal, and unselfish play as well.” DURBAN football fans must expect a war when Lamontville Golden Arrows lock horns with their cross-town rivals, AmaZulu, in the Durban derby at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, on Saturday.
Abafana Bes’thende will battle with Usuthu in an Absa Premiership showdown scheduled for a 3pm kickoff. Both teams will have their sights on bagging maximum points.
Midfield dynamo at Abafana Bes’thende, Danny Venter, is one of the players who is bracing himself for a bruising battle.
“It is going to be a war against AmaZulu. Those guys desperately need these points. We’ll be more careful when we play against them, we can’t take them for granted. They are a good team and they have good players in their team. That’s what will make the game more interesting,” Venter explained.
Arrows are favourites to win as they have displayed good form in the two games they’ve played in the township venue. They have amassed maximum points at Sugar Ray, scoring three goals and conceding one. Maritzburg United and Chippa United failed to dethrone Arrows in Clermont.
Usuthu have suffered two defeats away from home, at the expense of Polokwane City and Highlands Park. AmaZulu are yet to register a win in the new season.
“We do not consider ourselves as favourites going into the game against AmaZulu. We treat all our opponents the same and I don’t think we can call ourselves favourites against any team,” Venter added.
Usuthu have claimed one point out of the possible 12. That point was from a goalless draw against Orlando Pirates. The poor start to the season has put pressure on coach Cavin Johnson who has reportedly been warned to turn the tide.
Venter said: “We are ready for AmaZulu. We had more time to prepare for our encounter against them. We are still undefeated at home and we want to protect that record. We told ourselves at the start of the season that we have to make sure that we win most of our home games.
“The support that we are getting at Clermont is what pushes us (to do well).”