Polokwane look to break winless streak

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 02, 2018. 09:18

Polokwane City will look to break their winless streak in the Absa Premiership when they host Ajax Cape Town at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 4 February 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Polokwane have gone four league matches without a victory after they were held 0-0 at home by AmaZulu on January 27. It was a third successive draw for the Limpopo side and followed a 2-1 loss to Chiefs midway through the opening month of 2018.

Rise and Shine have claimed just nine points from 10 home matches this season, with their only victory as hosts coming in their first game of the New Year when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2.

Ajax claimed just their fifth win of the season when they defeated Orlando Pirates 3-0 at home on January 31. The victory was easily the Cape side’s biggest of the season and marked the second time they have scored three goals in a game since the turn of the year.

The Urban Warriors have claimed just two points from nine away matches this season. Their last match on the road was a 1-0 defeat at the hands of derby rivals Cape Town City on January 20.

In head-to-head stats, Ajax and Polokwane have met in nine league matches since 2013/14. The Urban Warriors have dominated the rivalry, claiming five wins and suffering just one defeat. The Limpopo side has claimed one win and suffered two defeats from their four home league matches against their Cape counterparts.

When the teams met earlier this season, Ajax claimed a 2-0 home win in September thanks to a brace of goals from striker Prince Nxumalo. The Urban Warriors are unbeaten in their last eight league matches against Rise and Shine.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with AmaZulu on January 27: Chigova, Tshehla, Ravhuhali, Mbonani, Tshilo (Semenya 61'), Seabi, Musona (Tlolane 65'), Ramagalela, J. Maluleke, W. Maluleke (Booi 78'), Mngomezulu.

Ajax’s line-up from their 3-0 win over Pirates on January 31: Petersen (February 42’), Zwane, Pietersen, Booysen, Lebusa (Nhlapo 46’), Malepe, Margeman, Sasman, Zakri, Ndoro, Morris (Mdabuka 30’).