Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has urged his team to focus on the task at hand as they prepare to face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout semifinals at the King Zwelithini Stadium on 9 November.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
Current form:
There has been a lot of hype around the club on social media in recent weeks after Mngqithi's side beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership and Sekhukhune United in cup competition.
Abafana Bes'thende thrashed Bahlabane Ba Ntwa 4-0 in the league last weekend to make it three wins in their last four games, although they were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in midweek.
Talk of reaching a first final since Arrows lifted the MTN 8 trophy in 2009 has also surfaced, but Mngqithi quickly cautioned his players not to get ahead of themselves for fear of becoming complacent.
Having dispatched Babina Noko 3-1 in the first round, the KZN outfit then eliminated TS Galaxy courtesy of a 2-1 win after extra time to set up a second meeting with Gallants in the space of seven days.
Alexandre Lafitte has done an admirable job since taking over the reins from Abdeslam Ouaddou in the off-season, losing just two of his opening eight top-flight matches.
Gallants claimed two big scalps en-route to the last four of the Carling Knockout after they sent Masandawana and Stellenbosch packing in the previous two rounds.
However, their league form has taken a dip following back-to-back defeats against Arrows and Durban City which has seen Lafitte's side lose three of their last four outings.
What was said:
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi
"I always try to advise players that social media might cause problems. For example, when players try to talk about the final when they have not played the semifinal - because it means you're getting ahead of yourself and will be disappointed if you don't get there.
"The worst part is that the little successes we've had, we have to clamp down on any big heads that may be beginning to emerge. When you begin to feel like you can stroll through games, then it's a problem."
Players to watch:
Golden Arrows - Junior Dion is in the form of his life after getting off to a flying start with Abafana Bes'thende following his arrival from local rivals AmaZulu in July. The 27-year-old striker is already enjoying his most productive season in South Africa, having bagged seven goals already in 11 appearances to make him the leading scorer in the Betway Premiership, although he's yet to find the back of the net in the Carling Knockout.
Marumo Gallants - Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo hasn't quite rediscovered the form which persuaded Orlando Pirates to sign him from Gallants in 2022. The 30-year-old midfielder returned to Bloemfontein in August, but hasn't been as influential as he'd hoped, registering no goals or assists in nine league games, although he scored a brace against the Maroons in the quarterfinals of the cup competitions which will boost his confidence.
Head-to-Head: (Last Five Matches)
Matches - 5
Arrows wins - 3
Gallants wins - 0
Draws - 2
