Arrows target ‘Ke Yona’ silverware
Win over Downs gives Mathiane more confidence
Golden Arrows captain Matome Mathiane cannot wait to lift his first trophy in the top flight and the Nedbank Cup gives him the opportunity to realise his dream.
The singing in the Arrows dressing room could be heard from the Lucas Moripe Stadium players’ tunnel after they edged Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0, thanks to Nduduzo Sibiya’s goal, in the Nedbank Cup last 16 on Saturday.
After the victory, Mathiane said Arrows can go all the way and win a first trophy since their MTN8 triumph in 2009.
“I definitely believe we are going to win the cup. With the kind of players we have, we are willing to work hard.
“It will mean a lot to some of us because there are youngsters who have not achieved anything. We want to achieve something special,” said the 28year-old.
“I won promotion [with Arrows in 2015], but I want to add more as captain of the team. It would mean so much to me. I would be happy.”
Mathiane and the rest of the Arrows defence had a busy afternoon containing the likes of Khama Billiat and Percy Tau. They did well to keep a clean sheet and have goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede to thank for the clean sheet. He won the man of the match award.
“We played very well. We have a team full of youngsters and want to achieve something this season. We prepared so well and we worked hard to face Sundowns. We knew it would not be an easy game,” said Mathiane.
Arrows, who are in sixth place, face Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium in the Absa Premiership tomorrow (7.30pm).
“We are working hard to finish in the top eight,” said Mathiane.
Chippa United beat Polokwane City 2-0 in Port Elizabeth to book a historic place in the last eight.