Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi has explained why the club has struggled to score goals this season, admitting that the team's attacking performances have dropped compared to the previous campaign.

Arrows have found it difficult to turn their performances into goals during the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season. Despite having Sede Junior Dion, who won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot last season, the Durban-based club have not managed to provide their striker with enough opportunities in front of goal.

Ncikazi believes the problem is not necessarily the players available to him but rather the team's tactical approach and the way they have been playing since the beginning of the campaign.

The coach explained that he had studied the team's statistics after their opening nine league matches and identified several areas that needed improvement.

Arrows have scored only three goals in nine matches, which has raised concerns about their attacking performances. According to Ncikazi, the number of touches in the attacking third has decreased compared to last season. The team have also registered fewer final passes and shots at goal.

"I'll give you the stats that I found, we have played nine games in the league, we have scored three goals, that is information – the touches in the attacking third have reduced from last season," Ncikazi said.

He explained that the team have continued to perform reasonably well when building attacks from the back, but they have struggled to make the next step and enter dangerous attacking areas.

"That is something to work on – the final pass we have reduced, the shots at goal have reduced, then it tells you the final third needs to be worked on. Defensively they have been doing well."

Ncikazi also pointed out that Golden Arrows were previously among the strongest teams when it came to winning possession high up the pitch. However, that part of their game has declined this season, making it difficult for them to create scoring opportunities.

The coach believes the responsibility now rests with him and his technical team to identify the tactical problems and find solutions through training.

"I don't think it's the personnel, I think it's the strategy and concept, how you train, what you want from the team and demand," he explained.

Golden Arrows are currently 10th on the Betway Premiership table with eight points from nine matches. Their record stands at one victory, five draws and three defeats.

Ncikazi will now be hoping to improve the team's attacking approach and get more goals from his players as they look to climb the league standings.

Source: IDiskiTimes