Golden Arrows co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has acknowledged the important role their number one goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede has played since the beginning of the season despite the negative results.
Abafana Bes’thende are currently languishing second from bottom on the DStv Premiership log after three rounds of matches.
They have drawn one and lost two of the three matches conceding four goals in the process. But despite the lack of positive results, Vilakazi admits that the 28-year-old, who has been at the club since 2011, has been a lifesaver for them this season.
“Definitely (he is very important). I think in our team talks when I spoke to him that he is our last line of defence and he needs to make sure that sometimes when we can’t fight our battle, he must be the last saver for us and he did that (against Marumo Gallants),” said Vilakazi.
“I think he was focused because the other two goals in the previous two games I think were too soft for my liking but I know also the best in Gumede and he has shown that he can try to save us even when times are tough.”
With just one point collected so far, Vilakazi says they need more luck to change their fortunes.
“We are trying. As I am saying we are singing one and the same song of converting our chances into goals. Because of the effort and the hard work, you can’t falter from the players but we still need that luck and it’s just not with us at the moment.
“A point is better than nothing. When you look at the log you can see that there are other teams who are sitting on one point. So, we wanted that point or even three points because we didn’t want a loss because it would make things difficult for us,” he added.
Arrows will host high-flying TS Galaxy in their next match at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday, 20 August.
