Arrows put unbeaten record on the line against City

Thabiso Semenya of Polokwane City and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2017/18 football match between Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Limpopo on 30 September 2017 ©/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Oct 20, 2017. 09:56

Golden Arrows will put their unbeaten record in the Absa Premiership on the line when they host Polokwane City at Princess Magogo Stadium on 21 October 2017, kick-off at 15h30.

Arrows have gone all eight games without defeat in the league this season, recording a third successive draw (and fifth stalemate overall) when they were held 1-1 at Baroka FC on October 18. The Durban side fought back from a goal down to secure a share of the spoils in Polokwane.

Abafana Bes’thende have played just three games at home so far this season, recording two draws and one emphatic victory over AmaZulu back in mid September. Coach Clinton Larsen will be hoping for another three-pointer on KwaZulu-Natal soil.

Yet the same can be said of Polokwane, who defeated AmaZulu 3-2 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on October 18 and will be looking for a second win in Durban in the space of three days. The Limpopo side’s victory included a fifth league goal for striker Rodney Ramagalela.

Rise and Shine have had mixed results away from home this season, recording two wins and two losses. City coach Bernard Molekwa will hope to see his side improve on a defensive record which has seen them ship six goals in those four games on the road, and 13 from eight overall.

In head-to-head stats, Arrows and Polokwane have met in six league matches since 2013/14. Abafana Bes’thende have claimed four wins compared to one for Rise and Shine, while one match has been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal team boasts an unbeaten home record in the rivalry, with two wins and a draw from three turns as hosts.

Last season Polokwane took four points off Arrows, holding the Durban side 3-3 away in the first half of the campaign, before claiming a 3-1 home win in Limpopo in the return game. The teams’ six league meetings have produced a combined total of 22 goals.

Arrows’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Baroka on October 18: Gumede, Dube, Mzava, Mngwengwe, Nkombelo, Bilankulu (Shongwe 58’), Cele, Magubane, Mahachi (Mutizwa 71’) , Jooste (Jappie 58’), Lamola.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 3-2 win over AmaZulu on October 18: Chigova, Senenya, Ravhuhali, Mbonani, Maponyane, Seabi, Phiri, Musona (Hlongwane 72', Ramagalela, Maluleke, Ndou (Booi 82').