Golden Arrows’ season is teetering on the edge, and today’s Premiership KZN derby against Richards Bay FC at King Zwelithini Stadium (3pm kick-off) could be the turning point – or another step towards disaster.
After yet another forgettable campaign, Abafana Bes’thende find themselves hovering dangerously above the relegation playoff zone.
Four defeats in their last five matches and a mere five points collected from the last 24 available tell the story of a team running on empty when it matters most.
They currently sit 14th on the table with 26 points, only three ahead of a desperate Cape Town City side in 15th.
The threat of being dragged into a playoff battle is very real.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, have slowly clawed their way out of trouble and are now in 11th place, four points clear of the bottom two with two games to go.
They’re not entirely safe, but a home victory today would all but secure their top-flight status for another season.
Manqoba Mngqithi had no business going from 10 seasons of dominance with Mamelodi Sundowns, back to Golden Arrows. I share the same sentiments about Gavin Hunt. They both should have moved out of the country.
— Kubo Kubo (@Bantu_Kubo) May 14, 2025
The hosts come into the derby buoyed by a gritty 1-0 win over TS Galaxy last weekend, their eighth win of the campaign.
That result, built on defensive organisation and efficient transitions, gives them crucial momentum heading into a match where the stakes are sky-high for both sides.
Manqoba Mngqithi’s team, on the other hand, were thoroughly outplayed in their 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates, a result that laid bare their lack of tactical cohesion and urgency.
That defeat compounded what has been a miserable stretch for a side that once harboured ambitions of a top-eight finish, but are now battling for survival.
Arrows’ major issue remains a blunt attack.
With just 16 goals scored in 28 games, their inability to convert chances has left them vulnerable in tight contests.
Even with a more structured approach introduced by Mngqithi, the lack of a cutting edge continues to undermine any semblance of progress.
• 𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏 𝙈𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃
🏆#BetwayPrem
📅 Saturday 17 May 2025
🆚 Golden Arrows FC
🏟 King Zwelithini Stadium
🕒 15h00
🎟 R60 at Ticketpro outlets
📺 SuperSport #PhakweGas #NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/CR5mXk4fyC— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) May 14, 2025
The reverse fixture earlier this season went the way of the Natal Rich Boyz, who edged a 1-0 win courtesy of Lindokuhle Zikhali’s late strike.
Richards Bay will look to complete a rare double over their provincial rivals, adding to their recent surge.
Historically, however, Arrows have had the upper hand in this rivalry since Richards Bay’s promotion in 2022.
The Durban-based outfit have won three of the five encounters between the two clubs, though Richards Bay have also claimed two victories – highlighting just how unpredictable this derby has become.
For Arrows, this clash isn’t just about pride.
It’s about survival, a chance to restore some dignity after a forgettable run of form, and to avoid another off-season spent rebuilding from the wreckage of another underwhelming campaign.
With just two matches left, Arrows need more than just a performance – they need a result.
