Arrows take aim at Chiefs

Philani Zulu of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Limbikani Mzava of Golden Arrows during the 2018 Nedbank Cup Last 32 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa on 11 February 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Apr 24, 2018. 13:29

Golden Arrows will look to claim the scalp of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs when the teams meet for an Absa Premiership clash at Princess Magogo Stadium on 24 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Arrows have won just one of their last five league matches and suffered their eighth loss of the season when they were beaten 1-0 at log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on April 17. The sequence of results has brought them just five points from the last 15 up for grabs.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just 16 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last game as hosts ending in a 1-1 draw against Free State Stars in early April.

Chiefs returned to winning form – following an embarrassing 0-3 loss at home to Chippa United – by defeating visitors Platinum Stars 1-0 on April 15. The Soweto side has not managed to score more than once in a game since beating Baroka FC 2-1 back in January.

The Amakhosi have claimed 23 points from 13 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at Free State Stars in early April.

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

When the teams met earlier this season, in Soweto in September 2017, they played to a goalless stalemate. The result saw Chiefs extend their unbeaten record against Arrows to 10 league matches, stretching back to the 2011/12 season.

Arrows’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Sundowns on April 17: Mbaeva, Mzava, Mathiane, Mngwengwe, Nkombelo, Bilankulu (Ndwandwe 46’), Zuke, Venter (Mutizwa 58’), Shongwe (Sibiya 79’), Magubane, Lamola.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Stars on April 15: Khune, Masilela (Tshabalala 80’), Cardoso, Molangoane, Parker, Zulu, Ekstein, Katsande, Tshabalala, Moon (Ntshangase 61’), Castro (Maluleka 84’).