Jiyane demands victory as Golden Arrows prepare for Mamelodi Sundowns semi-final

Golden Arrows captain Ayanda Jiyane has called for his side to focus solely on victory when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Sunday.

The match will be played at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, with both teams aiming to secure an advantage before the return fixture.

Jiyane expects an entertaining contest because Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns favour a similar passing approach. However, the Golden Arrows captain believes his team must allow its performance to do the talking and return from Gauteng with a win.

“It will be a good match because we play the same way, both teams pass the ball,” said Jiyane during the interview with Victor Molefe on Ukhozi FM.

“So, this is a game that we must win, we don’t have to talk too much. We don’t have to speak much about a lot of things.

“We must go to Joburg and make sure that we fight to win the match. This is the only thing we want, a win.”

The semi-final is the latest challenge for Golden Arrows as they pursue the MTN8 trophy, a competition the club last won in 2009. Jiyane says the squad is determined to end that wait and has urged supporters to back the team in its attempt to lift the cup.

“We hope that fans will come to support us because we want this trophy because it’s the one that the club last won in 2009,” he added.

The captain also acknowledged the difficulty of the trip and the importance of ensuring Golden Arrows remain in contention before returning home for the next stage of the tie.

“We’re going to do our best, we will go there and come out alive, and come home to carry on where we left off.”

The two sides will meet in the first leg on Sunday, with the second leg to decide which team progresses from the semi-final. Golden Arrows will be seeking a positive result away from home, while Mamelodi Sundowns will look to use home advantage to establish control of the tie.

Jiyane’s comments underline the direct approach Golden Arrows intend to take into the contest. Despite expecting the teams’ shared style to produce an open and competitive game, he insists the priority is clear: his side must fight for victory rather than spend time discussing the occasion.

The MTN8 trophy remains a major target for the club, with Golden Arrows hoping to replicate their success of 2009 and bring the silverware back to the team after 17 years.

The iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free. It can be downloaded using the button provided, or readers can complete the form to have it sent to them every week.