Golden Arrows co-coach Musa Bilankulu has expressed the desire for his side to win silverware as they gear up for the commencement of the Nedbank Cup.
Abafana Bes’thende will welcome Chippa United to the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale tomorrow (3pm kick-off) in the last 32 round of the competition.
The Lamontville-based outfit are the last KwaZulu-Natal club to win any kind of silverware, having won the MTN8 16 years ago.
Bilankulu was a part of that history-making squad alongside the likes of Njabulo Manqana, Siyabonga Sangweni and Richard Henyekane.
Now as part of the technical team alongside another Arrows old boy in Kagiso Dikgacoi, Bilankulu has raised the expectations of his squad, who are also enjoying a good run of form in the league.
Arrows have lost just one of their last eight matches in the Premiership, including a memorable win over Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.
With growing concerns around the state of KZN clubs and desperation for silverware between the four top-flight clubs, Bilankulu has drawn from his own experiences to try and guide Arrows to trophy success.
“This is our opportunity to fight for this trophy, because it’s available. We see it as an opportunity we can use to impress and win a trophy,” he said.
“There’s always pressure in football ,and this is our only chance now to fight for silverware. With the group of players we have, I always motivate them to say we can do it again.
“We did it in 2009 when I was still a player, and they have to believe that they can do it as well, despite having to face some of the best teams in the country.”
Arrows will welcome their previous coach Mabhuti Khenyeza, who will be sitting on the Chilli Boys bench, back to Hammarsdale this weekend.
🎙️ PRESS CONFERENCE 🎙️
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) January 22, 2025
“Coach Bilankulu made it clear that the club, coaching staff and players are ready to give 100 percent effort as we target silverware in the #NedbankCup this year and are well prepared ahead of the fixture against Chippa United”#10betgoldenarrows… pic.twitter.com/69Dv7STm88
The former Arrows striker joined the Gqeberha-based outfit as an assistant coach to Thabo September, following the departure of Kwanele Kopo in December.
If anyone knows this Arrows team, it’s Khenyeza, having been a part of their set-up for the last two seasons.
However, Bilankulu has highlighted the importance of not focusing on the Khenyeza factor, but rather looking to exploit the weaknesses of a newly formed opposition technical team.
“We have to focus a lot on ourselves for this game, but with Chippa having changed their coaching personnel, we can take advantage of the fact that they’re still trying to find their feet,” he said.
“I watched their game against Marumo Gallants. They tried to change the formation and personnel, so we have to see what they bring on the day.” | Independent Media Sport