Stars look to build on weekend stalemate

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Sep 19, 2017. 10:47

Platinum Stars will look to get their Absa Premiership campaign back on track when they host Golden Arrows at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 20 September 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

Stars finally picked up their first point of the season by playing to a goalless draw at home to Chippa United on September 16. Despite the result, the Rustenburg side remain rooted to the bottom of the log.

Coach Roger de Sa will hope the stalemate against the Chilli Boys proves to be a turning point in their season - and they need to claim a first win in the near future if they to dispel the early notion that they are relegation candidates.

Arrows have been one of the surprise packages of the league thus far, with their impressive 4-1 Durban derby win over AmaZulu on September 17 taking them to the top of the log on goal difference.

Abafana Bes’thende have netted seven times in their last two league matches and certainly have the attacking firepower to trouble any team. Coach Clinton Larsen deserves great credit for his early-season work, but will be hoping that this is just the start for his youthful team.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Arrows have met in 26 league matches since 2003/04. Dikwena have claimed 12 wins compared to seven for Abafana Bes’thende, while seven matches have been drawn. The Rustenburg side has won eight of their 13 home matches against their Durban counterparts, suffering just three defeats in the process.

Last season Stars completed a league ‘double’ over Arrows, winning 1-0 in Durban and 3-0 in the return game in Rustenburg. The last four league matches in which Dikwena have played host to Abafana Bes’thende have produced no less than 20 goals.

Arrows’ line-up from their 4-1 win over AmaZulu on September 17: Gumede, S. Dube, Mzava, Mngwengwe, Nkombelo, N. Cele (Sibiya 54’), Jooste, Shongwe (Molefe 27’), Mahachi, Magubane (Mutizwa 77’), Lamola.

Stars’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chippa on September 16: Mzimela, De Jong, Mwedihanga, Mlilo, Zulu, Mere, Mbatha, Mkhabela (Monama 57’), Nale (Kunene 46’), Ng’ambi, Ntuli (Matlakala 79’).