Manqoba Mngqithi demands more after Golden Arrows creep into Top 8

With ten games left, Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi is confident his team can finish in the top eight of the Betway Premiership.

Finishing in the top eight will automatically qualify them for next season's MTN8 and give them an opportunity to add some silverware to their dusty cabinet.

Mngqithi wasn't too impressed with his team's performance against Stellenbosch on Wednesday night, drawing 1-1 after two late goals. The Arrows attack didn't really show flair or skill on the ball in the first half, Mngqithi explained, and wished they had done better to create opportunities to score.

Besides that, Arrows also looked disorganised at times, but Ayanda Jiyane was a glimmer of hope with his rock-solid defensive display at the back, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.

Arrows did, however, struggle at times to clear the ball out of their danger zone before Stellenbosch finally converted an opportunity in the 73rd minute. Mngqithi believes his team should have taken away three points, but is still hopeful his side can place in the top eight of the league.

"I felt bad because we didn't create enough chances in the first half. We were never playing in between defenders or in-between lines, and that made life very difficult," Mngqithi said.

"I'm just happy we are touching the top eight now. When we are equal with everyone else in terms of games played, we just have to then consolidate our points. I'm very optimistic we can get to that and finish in the top eight."

Seven wins from 25 games is by no means something a coach should be happy with, but at this stage of the league, Mngqithi is no doubt viewing a finish through a pragmatic lens. Arrows’ arrival into the top eight after Wednesday's match means three KZN teams now feature in the top 10.

The path to a top-eight finish doesn't get any easier, though, with a gauntlet of tough games standing between them and their aspiring position.

Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates, and another KZN derby with Durban City are up next for Abafana Bes'thende. Erik Tinkler's Sekhukhune United have outsmarted and outplayed their way into the top three of the Premiership and will pose a huge threat for Mngqithi's men on Sunday.

Sekhukhune may have scored fewer goals than Arrows this season, but they've also conceded only 19, pointing to a more compact defence compared to Arrows’ 26 goals conceded. Their KZN counterparts AmaZulu, who have risen to fourth place in the league, go up against Polokwane City — who are also fighting for a top-eight finish.