Golden Arrows will be out to maintain their unbeaten record against Marumo Gallants in Saturday's Betway Premiership match at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale.
CURRENT FORM
Abafana Bes'thende got off to the perfect in the current league campaign as they claimed a 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC away on Wednesday courtesy of goals from Siyanda Mthanti and Lungelo Nguse.
Therefore, Arrows are undefeated in their last five matches in the league having registered three consecutive draws and two successive victories including a win over AmaZulu FC on the last day of last season.
Meanwhile, Gallants marked their return to the Premiership with a narrow defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at home last weekend - succumbing to a 2-1 defeat with Sekela Sithole scoring for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
As a result, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are winless in their last five matches in the local top-flight having recorded two successive draws and three consecutive defeats which came against Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Chiefs.
TEAM NEWS
Arrows have no suspension concerns coming into this encounter as they look to make it back-to-back victories in the current campaign.
Gallants, on the other hand, will be without Joseph Molangoane who is suspended after being sent off during the match against Chiefs.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Golden Arrows head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza
“I was happy that they took the game to Athlone. There are a few good memories on my side from when I was still playing here," Khenyeza said.
"And it encouraged me a bit because I was telling the boys that it's not the same when we played Stellies in Stellenbosch. When they play in Athlone, it takes a bit of their advantage away.
"But I think was very, very good game, very, very competitive. I’ve got to give credit to our side, they were on form and did very well,”
Marumo Gallants head coach Dan Malesela
"The good thing about us is we can see where we are going," Malesela said.
"There's a sense of direction. On a different day, we would be able to deal with many teams. The sad part is that we lost...
"The worst-case scenario we should have got a draw. I really think we deserve to win somehow... yes, I know they had a lot of chances."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lungelo Nguse, Golden Arrows: The bulky striker grabbed a confidence-boosting goal against Stellenbosch and he will be confident of scoring again when he faces a Gallants side which conceded twice on matchday one.
Sekela Sithole, Marumo Gallants: The left-footed attacker, who was Bahlabane Ba Ntwa's livewire against Chiefs and managed to score, will be determined to play a key role in helping his side secure their first win of the season.
