Arrows aim to break winless streak

Jeremy Brockie of Supersport United during the Absa Premiership 2017/18 match between Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga South Africa on 06 January 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Helder Ribiero

Friday Jan 12, 2018. 06:11

Golden Arrows will be aiming to break their long winless streak in the Absa Premiership when they host SuperSport United at Princess Magogo Stadium on 14 January 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Arrows opened 2018 with a 2-1 loss away to Bloemfontein Celtic on January 7. The result took their winless run in the league to 11 matches - a sequence in which they have claimed just seven points from a possible 33.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just seven points from eight home matches this season, with their last win as hosts coming back in mid-September when they thrashed Durban rivals AmaZulu 4-1. Their five home games since then have brought four draws and one defeat.

SuperSport saw their winless streak in the league extended to seven matches with a 2-0 loss away to Bidvest Wits on January 10. The Tshwane side has managed to score just three goals in the sequence and has conceded eight.

Matsatsantsa have claimed just five points from six away matches this season. Their only win on the road arrived back in August when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1.

In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Arrows have met in 33 league matches since 2000/01. Matsatsantsa have claimed 18 wins compared to nine for Abafana Bes’thende, while six games have been drawn. The Durban side has recorded five wins and suffered eight defeats from 16 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, United claimed a 3-0 home win on October 31 thanks to an opening goal from Reneilwe Letsholonyane and a brace from Aubrey Modiba. Matsatsantsa are unbeaten in their last four league games against Arrows and have scored 12 goals in the sequence.

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Celtic on January 7: Gumede, Dube, Mathiane, Mzava, Nkombelo, Ndwandwe, Bilankulu, Magubane (Venter 46’), Lamola (Chideu 62’), Mahachi (Jooste 82’), Mutizwa.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 2-0 loss to Wits on January 10: Pieterse, Nhlapo, Kekana, Egwuekwe, Bhasera, Phala, Letsholonyane (Mbule 67’), Furman, Modiba, Mokoena (Nkhatha 46’), Brockie (Mnyamane 67’).