Arrows take aim at in-form Pirates

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Mar 16, 2018. 14:35

Golden Arrows will welcome an in-form Orlando Pirates for an Absa Premiership clash at Princess Magogo Stadium on 17 March 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Arrows were held 2-2 in their last league outing, a draw away to Polokwane City on March 4. The Durban side conceded a late equaliser to miss out on claiming a second straight win.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed 15 points from 11 home matches this season, with their last game as hosts ending in a 1-0 win over Ajax Cape Town in late February.

Pirates come into the game having won their last three league outings on the bounce, including a 3-1 triumph over Soweto derby rivals Kaizer Chiefs on March 3. They have won six of their last eight league games to claim 19 points from a possible 24 in the sequence.

The Buccaneers have picked up 16 points from 11 away matches this season, with their last game on the road bringing a 4-2 win at Chippa United in late February.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Arrows have met in 33 league matches since 2000/01. The Buccaneers have claimed 18 wins compared to six for Abafana Bes’thende, while nine matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won four of their 16 home league matches against their Soweto counterparts, suffering eight defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season in Soweto, they played out a goalless stalemate. It was the first draw between Pirates and Arrows since the first half of the 2009/10 season.

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-2 draw with Polokwane on March 4: Mbaeva, Mzava, Mathiane, Buthelezi, Nkombelo, Bilankulu, Zuke (Molefe 58'), Magubane (Mutizwa 79'), Venter, Ndwandwe (Jooste 71'), Lamola.

Pirates’ line-up from their 3-1 win over Chiefs on March 3: Mpontshane, Jele, Dube, Nyauza, Lorch (Makola 72’), Shitolo, Mlambo, Nyatama, Maela, Morrison (Memela 46’), Shonga (Mulenga 84’).