Biggest Kwazulu-Natal derby has an edge to it beyond the title race

Kwazulu-Natal has always been a hotbed of footballing talent but teams in the province have struggled to translate that into performances in the Premier Soccer League.

In the 2020/21 season however, with two Kwazulu-Natal clubs are in the title race and set for a major showdown this weekend.

The Biggest Kwazulu-Natal derby

The match itself could have a real edge with bragging rights on the line and pride at stake beyond the three points on offer.

Amazulu consider themselves to be ‘THE KZN club’ as founding members of the Premier Soccer League and former national champions.

The demise of inaugural PSL champions Manning Rangers, reinforced their views and there is no disputing Amazulu’s place in South African football.

Golden Arrows, however, are none to happy with the order of things and would like to stake their claim to being KZN’s number one team.

Arrows are the only KZN club to win major silverware in the 21st century and there if a feeling that the are not getting the respect they deserve because of Amazulu.

Both clubs are on course to notch their best ever finishes in the Premier Soccer League this season. 

While Amazulu won the now-defunct National Professional Soccer League in 1972, they have never finished above seventh in the PSL. Arrows have twice finished fifth in the league.

Golden Arrows not getting the respect the deserve

Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi lashed out at the Durban media this week for what he perceives as a bias towards Amazulu.

“We will give it a good fight against AmaZulu. There’s media noise. Some have already given the result to AmaZulu, especially in Durban, where some in the media you’d think are employed by AmaZulu, given the amount of disrespect they give to Arrows and the hype they create around AmaZulu. We will go all out to get a win,” said Ncikazi.

There has never been as much at stake in a Kwazulu-Natal derby as there will be on Saturday. If there is a winner the will effectively be the chief challenge to Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premiership title.

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