Vusi Vilakazi says Golden Arrows will go for all three points in their last match against Chippa United, not to help Maritzburg United but because they’re chasing a top-8 finish themselves.
Vilakazi’s side beat AmaZulu 1-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium this past weekend to leapfrog into the top eight with the last round taking place this coming Saturday.
To finish in the top eight will be huge for Arrows, who were tipped to struggle this season after losing their opening two matches to find themselves at the bottom of the table.
Maritzburg United chairman Farook Kadodia urged Arrows, saying they must be professional in their approach against Chippa to help their brothers from the same province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Team of Choice needs help elsewhere, especially from Arrows and Swallows respectively to win their games against Chippa and Marumo Gallants on Saturday.
This after Maritzburg was put in the disadvantageous position as they will complete their season against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium later tonight (19:30).
That means Maritzburg, lying at the bottom of 29 points alongside Chippa and Gallants, will complete the season before them, giving Chippa and Gallants an unfair advantage as they will know what they will have to do on Saturday when they finish their season.
“If we want to be in the top eight, we must win the two games that are remaining and we won this one (against AmaZulu) and we still have another assignment when we play against Chippa in order to make sure that we find ourselves finishing in the top eight,” said Vilakazi, whose side missed the top eight spot last season by virtue of poor goal difference to SuperSport United.
While Vilakazi spoke indirectly, he was directly asked about helping Maritzburg by beating Chippa, describing the Team of Choice’s situation as an unfortunate part but insisted they will do their part to win the game for their own targets – whether it helps Maritzburg or not, it is beyond them.
“It’s a pity because we are also playing for something. Right now we are sitting on position eight, but we are not safe because if one of those below us (win) since we are on 37 points, we still need to win our game to stay in the top eight, that is the unfortunate part,” said Vilakazi.
“We hear the hearsay about the favours and stuff like that, but there is never a formal approach in terms of that because that will be unprofessional for that to happen.
“So we would love to see Maritzburg remain as a team from the province, but unfortunately we have to fight our battles and they need to fight their own battles and we wish them all the best in their last game.”
