Survival and developing players for the club going forward are the reasonable mandates set for Serame Letsoaka as coach of Lamontville Golden Arrows in their first season back in the Premier Soccer League.
Arrows have been relatively quiet in the transfer window, so far making just five additions to the squad that won the National First Division last season.
New coach Letsoaka said the club will not be making wholesale signings.
Letsoaka said Arrows chair-woman Mato Madlala has taken a realistic approach to her team's first season back in the Premiership with survival the first objective. Abafana Bes'thende bounced back to the PSL a year after being relegated.
"My mandate is to make sure the team competes in the PSL next year, and secondly to make sure we unearth talent along the way," Letsoaka said yesterday.
"And making sure that when all the players we have on loan go back to their teams next year, we have a strong base of our own players here.
"It's a reasonable mandate. As a promoted team your first objective is to make sure you survive."
Arrows' close relationship with Orlando Pirates has seen the Durban side beef up with some good Buccaneers fringe players.
Zambian striker Mwape Musonda, who made just two appearances for Bucs after signing in February, and centre back Gladwin Shitolo are being loaned to Arrows. Pirates have also released reserve goalkeeper Patrick Zikalala to Abafana Bes'thende.
The KwaZulu-Natal team have signed defender Velile Zitha from Thanda Royal Zulu and midfielder Edgar Manaka from Platinum Stars.
"The team is at 80%," Letsoaka said. "We are just finalising two or three deals now and the team will be OK. I'm talking to a few sides about one or two full-backs and one or two wingers.
"We also have Gladwin Shitolo on loan from Pirates. Manaka and Zitha bring more quality. With two or three more signings I'm sure we'll have a very competitive team. Mabhuti Khenyeza's experience will be vital."
Arrows are known as a club with a relatively short fuse with coaches. Letsoaka - who replaced Shaun Bartlett, the coach who won the NFD with Arrows last season - said he was aware no coaching job is ever 100% secure.
"Unfortunately, this is the nature of the job we are in," the former Bafana assistant coach said.
No easy task as coach sharpens new Arrows
Survival and developing players for the club going forward are the reasonable mandates set for Serame Letsoaka as coach of Lamontville Golden Arrows in their first season back in the Premier Soccer League.
Arrows have been relatively quiet in the transfer window, so far making just five additions to the squad that won the National First Division last season.
New coach Letsoaka said the club will not be making wholesale signings.
Letsoaka said Arrows chair-woman Mato Madlala has taken a realistic approach to her team's first season back in the Premiership with survival the first objective. Abafana Bes'thende bounced back to the PSL a year after being relegated.
"My mandate is to make sure the team competes in the PSL next year, and secondly to make sure we unearth talent along the way," Letsoaka said yesterday.
"And making sure that when all the players we have on loan go back to their teams next year, we have a strong base of our own players here.
"It's a reasonable mandate. As a promoted team your first objective is to make sure you survive."
Arrows' close relationship with Orlando Pirates has seen the Durban side beef up with some good Buccaneers fringe players.
Zambian striker Mwape Musonda, who made just two appearances for Bucs after signing in February, and centre back Gladwin Shitolo are being loaned to Arrows. Pirates have also released reserve goalkeeper Patrick Zikalala to Abafana Bes'thende.
The KwaZulu-Natal team have signed defender Velile Zitha from Thanda Royal Zulu and midfielder Edgar Manaka from Platinum Stars.
"The team is at 80%," Letsoaka said. "We are just finalising two or three deals now and the team will be OK. I'm talking to a few sides about one or two full-backs and one or two wingers.
"We also have Gladwin Shitolo on loan from Pirates. Manaka and Zitha bring more quality. With two or three more signings I'm sure we'll have a very competitive team. Mabhuti Khenyeza's experience will be vital."
Arrows are known as a club with a relatively short fuse with coaches. Letsoaka - who replaced Shaun Bartlett, the coach who won the NFD with Arrows last season - said he was aware no coaching job is ever 100% secure.
"Unfortunately, this is the nature of the job we are in," the former Bafana assistant coach said.
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