CAF SPOT IN SIGHT: Polokwane City host struggling Golden Arrows

Polokwane City will be targeting three points in their bid to finish in a Caf Inter-club position when they take on Golden Arrows in a Betway Premiership clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 19:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Polokwane City are without a win in their last three Betway Premiership games, their most recent result being a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch. Before that, the Limpopo outfit played to a goalless draw against Marumo Gallants and lost 1-0 to Magesi.

Currently placed fifth in the league standings, Rise and Shine are tied on points with third and fourth-placed Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United respectively with a tally of 31.

Their opponents Golden Arrows, on the other hand, are in 11th position and are winless in their last five league games. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw against league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and they have a few games in hand.

WHAT WAS SAID

Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe says they didn’t expect to find themselves fighting for a top-three finish, but if that puts them a step closer to qualifying for Caf Inter-club competitions, it is welcomed.

“Anything is possible in life, so if that appears to happen. Then let it be; let’s go and fight as Polokwane City,” said Mohafe.

“No one can do that if we can’t, and we will never know if we can’t try it. So we will rather go and try; we see where we fail, and we see where we progress.

“Honestly speaking. Last season, we surprised ourselves when we qualified for the top eight. Even now, we are so surprised that we are fighting for the third spot. I think with us being there, that triggered the mentality of saying, you can do it. Then why not? Let’s try to fight for it,” he added.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Polokwane City, Oswin Appollis – The dynamic forward has been a transfer target for the top clubs in the Betway Premiership. The 23-year-old has also managed to get involved in the Bafana Bafana set up and will strive to add to his tally of two goals in the Betway Premiership.

Golden Arrows, Keenan Phillips – The right-back is a versatile player and has shown the ability to attack well even as a defender. Since he was on target in the draw against Mamelodi Sundowns, all eyes will be on him to replicate his performance in this next crucial encounter.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 Polokwane 3-1 Arrows J. Maluleke 2, Mngomezulu; Bilankulu (pen)

2017/18 Arrows 2-2 Polokwane Mutizwa, Chideu; Ramagalela, Seabi

2017/18 Polokwane 2-2 Arrows Musona, Tlolane; Lamola, Magubane

2018/19 Arrows 1-1 Polokwane Mngwengwe; Ramagalela

2018/19 Polokwane 2-0 Arrows Anas, Mashumba

2019/20 Arrows 2-1 Polokwane Mutizwa, Makhubela; Phiri

2019/20 Polokwane 1-1 Arrows Anas; Mutizwa

2023/24 Arrows 3-2 Polokwane Sibiya, Nguse, Mantshiyane; Mapfumo, Nkaki

2023/24 Polokwane 0-1 Arrows Sibiya