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Bartlett positive of quick return

OPTIMISTIC: Golden Arrows head coach Shaun Bartlett Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
OPTIMISTIC: Golden Arrows head coach Shaun Bartlett Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images

IT'S fairly early to make predictions, but Golden Arrows' coach Shaun Bartlett reckons five clubs, including his, have shown the potential to win the National First Division honours - come May 10.

The other four clubs, according to Bartlett, are leaders Milano United, Santos, Vasco da Gama and Black Leopards.

Milano, Vasco and Santos are all from Cape Town and are in the top eight on the log, including Abafana Bes'thende.

Leopards, who were beaten 2-0 by Witbank Spurs yesterday, are 15th on the log. Vasco are on third after a 1-all draw against Cape Town All Stars at Parow Park in another match yesterday.

The unbeaten and fourth-placed Arrows recorded their second win of the season in four outings when they pipped African Warriors 1-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Saturday. Their goal was scored by centre-back Nkanyiso Mgwengwe, who struck five minutes into the game. Arrows' first win of the season with the same score margin was against Leopards in their season-opener. Their Namibian centre-back, Chris Katjiukua, netted in the match. The Lamontville club went on to fight out goalless draws against Milano and FC Cape Town.

Arrows were hit by an exodus of top players after their straight relegation from the PSL last season and many people wrote them off in the NFD. But they have been impressive so far in their new campaign, and this suggests they will be strong contenders for promotion this season.

"Automatic promotion is achievable for us," Bartlett told Sowetan yesterday.

"I'm happy with the progress of this team and I also praise the players for their fighting spirits. I have told my players that everybody has a duty to score in this team. It's not the responsibility of strikers. All players have that in mind, and I'm not surprised our defenders are also scoring."

Bartlett, who boasts 21 goals for Bafana Bafana in 74 matches, admitted that it will be important to win promotion to the top flight in their first season in the NFD.

"We can't leave it to another season. It has always been difficult for the relegated teams to win their way back to the PSL after failing to secure promotion in their first season," said the coach.

Teams that have struggled to make a quick return to the PSL include Jomo Cosmos, Leopards, Vasco and Santos.

.Other NFD results:

Cosmos 1, FC Cape Town 1; Thanda Royal Zulu 2, Maluti FET College 0; Baroka 1, Highlands Park 1; Santos 4, Royal Eagles 2 ; Milano 1, GaRankuwa 0.

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