In a surprising turn of events, Golden Arrows have reportedly terminated the contracts of two first team players: seasoned forward Knox Mutizwa and tough tackling defender Thabani Zuke.
This significant development comes ahead of their highly anticipated Betway Premiership encounter against Orlando Pirates, set to take place at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening.
Read: Stellenbosch soar with third consecutive Betway Premiership win
Consecutive league defeats and a four-match winless streak have seen Abafana Bes’thende slide to 14th position in the South African topflight standings with 26 points. While they are level on points with 13th-placed SuperSport United, Arrows do have a crucial game in hand.
According to reports from FARPost, the departure of Mutizwa and Zuke marks the end of lengthy and impactful tenures at Golden Arrows. Both players have been cornerstones of the team, consistently featuring under various coaching regimes and considered key figures within the squad for a considerable period.
Knox Mutizwa’s journey with Golden Arrows commenced in January 2017 with an initial loan move from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits. His contributions quickly proved invaluable, leading to a permanent transfer at the start of the 2017/18 season.
Mutizwa first arrived in South Africa in 2016, making the move from Zimbabwean giants Highlanders to Bidvest Wits. Since then, the prolific striker has become a key figure at Golden Arrows, racking up an impressive 63 goals and 23 assists in 231 appearances across all competitions.
This season, he has featured in 14 matches, scoring three goals and registering one assist. Just weeks ago, Mutizwa played a decisive role in Arrows’ victory over Kaizer Chiefs, both scoring and assisting in the win.
Thabani Zuke, on the other hand, has been a consistent presence in the Golden Arrows first team since his promotion at the beginning of the 2019/20 campaign. A product of the club’s youth system, Zuke was a member of the reserve side that clinched the prestigious Multichoice Diski Challenge (now the DDC) title in 2018.
The versatile defender has played 93 matches for Arrows, contributing one goal and one assist. In the current season, the 26-year-old has featured in 12 games across all competitions.
Reasons Behind the Departures
According to the article, sources indicate that the decision to release both players was made with immediate effect. The reasons cited for their dismissals differ.
The football publication suggest that Thabani Zuke’s departure is linked to allegations of a pre-contract agreement with their KwaZulu-Natal rivals, AmaZulu FC.
Meanwhile, the reasons behind Knox Mutizwa’s exit are reportedly twofold: “below par performances” and other undisclosed factors, according to insiders.
Arrows Bolster Squad with Royal AM Signings
In a proactive move to address their squad depth and performance, Golden Arrows have been active in the transfer market following the recent termination of Royal AM’s PSL membership.
The club has moved swiftly to secure the services of several players from the now-defunct outfit. The new additions include Ayanda Jiyane, Xolani Ngcobo, Siphesihle Msomi, experienced defender Thabo Matlaba, Philani Sithebe, Shadrack Kobedi, Sabelo Sithole, and Ayabulela Maxwele.
Orlando Pirates Clash
Despite the unsettling news surrounding the departure of two key players, Golden Arrows must now quickly refocus their attention on their upcoming midweek Betway Premiership fixture against second-placed Orlando Pirates.
Abafana Bes’thende are scheduled to host The Mighty Buccaneers at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening, with kickoff set for 19h30 on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.