Komphela urges greater concentration from Golden Arrows

THE resurgent Lamontville Golden Arrows are ruthless at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont and they have vowed to keep that record intact.

Abafana Bes’thende will entertain Polokwane City in a grudge match tomorrow at 3.30pm.

Arrows sent the Rise and Shine packing in the Telkom Knockout last week in Clermont.

The home side boasts an impressive record in their own territory this season. Out of the 10 points that they have amassed, eight have been at home.

Maritzburg United, Chippa United, Stellenbosch FC, AmaZulu and Polokwane City have all failed to beat Arrows in Clermont.

Abafana Bes’thende are unbeaten across all competitions at home and they are out to stretch that record against Polokwane City.

“It is going to be difficult because one, they lost the previous match and they will make it a point that they don’t lose twice to the same team. That’s what I will say to my players also. It is a bit more difficult,” said Arrows coach Steve Komphela.

“All we need to do is to prepare ourselves and understand exactly what they did last week and the problems they posed.

We just need to be more ready. We’ve had a feel of what to expect from them and it becomes easy to prepare. The greatest danger is when you have won and think the next game will be easy. It is going to be difficult,” Komphela told Independent Media.

Abafana Bes’thende will be working diligently to rectify the mistakes they committed in their past two matches at home.

They shared the spoils with Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu FC after taking the lead in both matches.

“It becomes more mental now. The draws are unnecessary at home. They play good football. You can see that they know exactly what to do and when to do it.

“Maybe the only thing that we need to work on is our finishing. That’s what will help us get wins. If you look at Stellenbosch, we played well, we were leading 2-0 and we gave away the lead. That talks to concentration. We need to concentrate more and win these matches,” he added.

It was a clean bill of health for Arrows, confirmed Komphela.

“Matches are difficult, more especially when you are playing away. It is the nature of the Premier Soccer League. We just have to make it a point that home matches, you win. It is just a pity that we’ve drawn two out of four at home.

“The way we play, the way we prepare, it is the same. We want to play the same way. We are Arrows. If we are attacking, it must be clear, if we are defending, it must also be clear,” the former Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic tactician said.