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Mngqithi's Arrows out to derail Sundowns' title charge

football04 March 2025 16:15| © Backpage TXT
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Manqoba Mngqithi © Backpagepix

Golden Arrows will be looking to derail Mamelodi Sundowns' Betway Premiership title charge when the two teams meet at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT +2).

CURRENT FORM

Abafana Bes'thende stretched their winless run to five matches when they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to TS Galaxy away on 1 March, and it was also their third defeat in their last five games.

Arrows are placed 11th in the Betway Premiership standings - three points above the relegation zone, and a win over Sundowns would see the KwaZulu-Natal side move further away from the bottom two spots.

Meanwhile, Sundowns are enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run, having secured a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs at home on 1 March, and it was also their seventh win in a row.

Masandawana are sitting pretty at the top of the Betway Premiership standings - 18 points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, but the latter have four games in hand as the title race continues.

TEAM NEWS

Golden Arrows, who have brought back former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Manqoba Mngqithi as their head coach, have no suspension worries, but Lungelo Nguse will be absent due to a long-term injury.

Sundowns, on the other hand, also don't have any suspension issues, but Rivaldo Coetzee, Themba Zwane, Siyabonga Mabena, Mothobi Mvala and Ronwen Williams are busy with their injury rehabilitation.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Golden Arrows assistant coach Musa Bilankuku

"We just need to be consistent in the game. We also have to take our chances when we play," Bilankulu said.

"I believe we will still make the top eight: we're still in the first round [of league fixture]. We will still fight for more points in the second round.”

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso

“Regarding the points difference, we don't look back; we look forward and by doing that we are looking forward to our next game against Golden Arrows. It will be a tough match again,” Cardoso said.

“That's the respect we should have for everybody because PSL matches are tricky. We are a team to beat and there is extra energy when we play against any team.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ryan Moon, Golden Arrows: Abafana Bes'thende will look to the lanky striker who is the club's top scorer in the league this season with three goals and his aerial prowess could create problems for Masandawana.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Mamelodi Sundowns: Masandawana will pin their hopes of overcoming Abafana Bes'thende on the in-form Brazilian forward who scored the winning goal against Kaizer Chiefs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Stellenbosch 1-0 Gallants Du Preez

2022/22 Gallants 1-0 Stellenbosch Ndlondlo (pen)

2022/23 Gallants 0-0 Stellenbosch

2022/23 Stellenbosch 1-1 Gallants Mendieta; Chivaviro

2024/25 Stellenbosch 1-0 Gallants Moloisane

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Gallants 2 1 1 0 1 0

Stellenbosch 3 2 1 0 3 1

Away

P W D L GF GA

Gallants 3 0 1 2 1 3

Stellenbosch 2 0 1 1 0 1

Total

P W D L GF GA

Gallants 5 1 2 2 2 3

Stellenbosch 5 2 2 1 3 2

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