In the hunt for points for Royal AM | The Witness
The main focus for local DStv Premiership outfit Royal AM is to win against Lamontville Golden Arrows away at Hammarsdale’s Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday and climb up the standings. Kick-off is at 3 pm.
Bragging rights will be at stake when Abafana Bes’thende and Thwihli Thwahla face off in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.
There is a lot of history between the management of both teams and on Saturday there will be no love lost.
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The home side will hope for a confidence-boosting encounter after a number of poor performances recently.
In Arrows’ last league game away against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium, on April 6, the KZN side were pummelled 7-1.
In that game Pirates dominated the proceedings and outplayed Arrows in all departments in a one sided affair.
Before the clash Pirates, Abafana Bes’thende played a 2-2 draw against out-of-sorts SuperSport United.
On April 7 Thwihli Thwahla hosted Polokwane City at Harry Gwala Stadium and won 3-2.
During that thriller RAM’s head coach, John Maduka, made a couple of chances that seemed to work for him because they were able to collect maximum points. To win 3-2 against Polokwane City was not just good, but also encouraging for the players, he said. He said he expected the winning mentality to spill over to the next fixtures, especially at home.
To win 3-2 against tricky customers like Polokwane City was not easy. Also to be victorious in front of our fans at home was good and encouraging. We need to carry on winning as a team and that positive winning mentality is very important.
“Our next fixtures won’t be easy all the way, but to keep the momentum is very important,” said Maduka.
It’s yet to be seen if RAM’s players will rise to the occasion, especially against their neighbours, and stick to Maduka’s instructions.
Maduka also said on Wednesday he is aware that facing Arrows will not be an easy task as the Durban side are still licking their wounds.
It will be very tricky and tough to play Arrows.
RAM believe their recent disappointing loss to Pirates will motivate them to go all out for the win.
“We are going to be careful because our mission is to avoid losing and collect maximum points,” said Maduka.
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Meanwhile, local NFD team Maritzburg United won 2-0 against University of Pretoria last night at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium (Clermont).
On Friday at 7.30 pm the Team Of Choice will host Marumo Gallants, also at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
