Stars look for return to winning ways

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 02, 2018. 09:00

Free State Stars will look for a return to winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they host Baroka FC at Goble Park Stadium on 3 February 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Stars have failed to win either of their last two league matches (following a run of four straight victories), as a 3-0 loss at home to Maritzburg United on January 20 was followed by a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Ajax Cape Town on January 26.

Ea Lla Koto have claimed 18 points from 10 home matches this season. Prior to their above-mentioned loss to Maritzburg, Stars had won four successive home matches by defeating Golden Arrows, SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City.

Baroka played to their eighth draw of the season when they were held 2-2 at Golden Arrows on January 28. The Limpopo side has won just two of their last 12 league matches, picking up just 11 points from a possible 36 in the sequence.

Bakgaga have claimed 13 points from 10 away matches, with their last win on the road coming back in late September when they got the better of Kaizer Chiefs.

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Baroka have met in three league matches since the start of last season. The games have produced two wins for Bakgaga - including a 1-0 home triumph when the teams met earlier this season - and one for Ea Lla Koto.

Stars’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Ajax on January 26: Sangare, Mobbie, Keita, Mahamutsa, Phungwayo, Masehe, Tchilimbou, Vilakazi, Potsane (Maphakisa 61'), Jantjie (Anas 79'), Mthembu (Mashego 90+1').

Baroka’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with Arrows on January 28: Vries, Kgoetyane, Banda, Shaku, Mohwatseleng, Sidumo (Kgaswane 57'), Madubanya, Mdantsane, Chawapiwa, Motupa (Mahashe 85'), Nguzana (Ngalande 56).