Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Lamontville Golden Arrows are in a class of their own and their 4-1 humiliation of Kaizer Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout in Durban on Saturday should not be regarded as an "upset".
Abafana Bes'thende's triumph did not come as a surprise to many people who have been following their progress this season, which they kicked off with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates.
Arrows' defeat of Chiefs came on the back of a 4-2 win at the expense of the Mamelodi Sundowns in a league match.
Some Durbanites based in Johannesburg were heard chanting "Amakhosi 4 lunch!" after the encounter. Arrows are succeeding because of their right attitude: they do not respect opposition on the pitch.
"Fear is not part of our vocabulary," said Manqoba Mnqithi Arrows' mentor yesterday.
"We always spend ample time in identifying the weaknesses and strengths of our opponents... We knew exactly what Chiefs would offer in this game."
Asked which team he would like to meet in the quarterfinals, he boldly stressed "any".
He, however, would not say if they could win the lucrative competition this season "because I don't want to put pressure on my players".
Ertugral rightfully admitted after the game that his battered side had no chance against Arrows.
"I will need one or two days for some introspection on our performances," Ertugral told Sowetan yesterday.
He also admitted that he missed his dependable linkman Tinashe Nengomasha, who returned from national duty injured.
Arrows started the challenge with gusto with Richard Henyekane opening the floodgates in the fourth minute.
Under pressure Chiefs' defender Mokete Tsotetsi scored an own goal in the 22nd minute, before Henyekane got his second six minutes later.
He wound up his virtuoso performance with another strike in the 73rd minute. Arthur Zwane struck a meaningless beauty five minutes from time but no one smiled for the effort from the Chiefs' camp.