Arrows, Maritzburg open 2019 with provincial derby

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jan 04, 2019. 10:18

Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United will open the New Year with a provincial derby in their Absa Premiership clash at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on 6 January 2019, kick-off at 15h30.

Arrows have won just one of their last six league matches and suffered a 2-0 away defeat to Durban rivals AmaZulu on December 22. The team in green and gold have picked up just three league wins this term.

Abafana Bes’thende have claimed eight points from seven home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in early December.

Maritzburg have gone nine league matches without a win after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Baroka FC on December 22. The KwaZulu-Natal side has scored just three goals in that sequence.

The Team of Choice has claimed five points from six away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 loss to SuperSport United in mid-December.

In head-to-head stats, Arrows and Maritzburg have met in 23 league matches since 2005/06. Abafana Bes’thende have claimed 11 wins compared to five for the Team of Choice, while seven matches have been drawn. The Durban side has claimed seven wins and suffered just one defeat from 11 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season in Pietermaritzburg, Arrows claimed a 2-0 win thanks to late goals from Knox Mutizwa and Lerato Lamola. Abafana Bes’thende are unbeaten in their last six league matches against United.

Arrows’ line-up from their 2-0 loss to AmaZulu on December 22: Mbaeva, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Sibisi, Lunga, Jooste (Magubane 68'), Molefe, Cele, S. Parusnath (Conco 56'), Mutizwa (Venter 58'), Lamola.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Baroka on December 22: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Makaringe, Atouba (Shandu 69’), Zakri, Kunene, Makgalwa (Ndlovu 46’), Mekoa, Mokate (Fileccia 46’).