Polokwane look to break run of draws

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Mar 02, 2018. 04:46

Polokwane City will look to return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Golden Arrows at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 4 March 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

City played to their fifth successive draw (and a sixth without victory) when they were held 1-1 at Limpopo rivals Baroka FC on February 24. The match at least saw striker Rodney Ramagalela become the first player to reach the 10-goal mark in the league this season.

Rise and Shine have claimed just 10 points from 11 home matches this season. Their last win as hosts came back in early January when they defeated current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2.

Arrows broke a four-game winless streak in the league by defeating Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at home on February 25. It was just a second win in the Durban side’s last 17 PSL matches.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just 11 points from as many away matches this season, with their last game on the road bringing a 2-1 defeat at the hands of city rivals AmaZulu in early February.

In head-to-head stats, Arrows and Polokwane have met in seven league matches since 2013/14. Abafana Bes’thende have claimed four wins compared to one for Rise and Shine, while two matched have been drawn. The Limpopo side’s three turns as hosts have brought them one victory and twp defeats.

When the teams met earlier this season in Durban, they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. The result extended this fixture’s tendency for high-scoring matches, as the seven league games between the teams have produced no less than 26 goals.

Arrows’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Ajax on February 25: Mbaeva, Mzava, Buthelezi, Mathiane, Nkombelo, Bilankulu, Zuke, Ndwandwe (Molefe 74’), Venter, Mabubane (Jappie 49’ [Jooste 82’]), Lamola.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Baroka on February 24: Chigova, Semenya, Tshilo, Sikhosana, Hlongwane, Miya (Tlolane 84’), J. Maluleke, Manaka (Phiri 83’), Seabi, Ndou (Musona 50’), Ramagalela.