‘Annoyed’ Arrows coach Seema targets MTN8

Golden Arrows head coach Lehlohonolo Seema sounded a bit annoyed when asked about the amount of pressure his team is facing as they go up against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first-leg of the MTN8 semifinal on Saturday.

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The general perception is that Sundowns are under the most pressure in contrast to Abafana Bes’thende, but Seema, and perhaps a section of Arrows supporters, have a different view. 

Arrows have not reached the semis of this particular competition in a while and being the record holders of the biggest scoreline in a final – when they beat Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in 2009 – they cannot be taken for granted.

“We also need to win this cup, that is why we are in it,” said Seema.

“Maybe the expectation is higher on the side of Sundowns but even our supporters have high expectations because it is a new season and we are in the semifinals, we are not here to add numbers. The pressure is on both sides because I know that our fans are expecting us to perform.

“The players know what is at stake, and I told them that one way to make this game more exciting is if we play our way and not be consumed by the event . If we go down, we are not going to go down without a fight,” he added.

Arrows come at the back of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of SuperSport United,

We were disappointed but we got some positives from that game and there are certain things that we need to perfect so that we can try and win this game. Having been at the helm of the side since July, Seema says he has not changed anything in his team and does not plan to do so.

“I did not have to change anything. When the chairlady was looking for a coach, she did her homework and got the kind of coach that she wanted. I am here to add on what the team has already been doing, there is nothing much that we can change here. I did not come with a different philosophy.”