KZN rivals clash at familiar turf as Arrows and Bay hunt first win
Golden Arrows and Richards Bay will be desperate to get their Betway Premiership campaigns on track when they collide in a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Both sides lost their league openers, leaving them already under pressure to put early points on the board.
Arrows were beaten by newly promoted Siwelele FC, while Richards Bay fell to Marumo Gallants.
The urgency is shared — neither camp wants to risk an extended winless run this early in the season.
For Arrows, the 2025/26 has begun as a season of transition. Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has assembled a squad brimming with fresh-faced youngsters signed in the off-season.
While the energy and enthusiasm are clear, the chemistry is still developing, particularly in attack where their youthful frontline has yet to click.
Richards Bay's start has been more bruising. Co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane have overseen back-to-back league defeats, with the 4-0 loss to champions Mamelodi Sundowns two weeks ago leaving wounds that still need healing.
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