Lamontville Golden Arrows will be looking to redeem themselves when they face Sekhukhune United in a DStv Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
Abafana Bes'thende suffered a humiliating 6-0 loss to the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns away on April 12 and it was also their second consecutive defeat in the league.
Therefore, the KwaZulu-Natal side is placed ninth on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind eighth-placed SuperSport United, but Abafana Bes'thende have a game in hand.
Arrows parted ways with coach Lehlohonolo Seema after their heavy loss to Sundowns and the club appointed Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Mabuthi Khenyeza as caretaker coaches.
“Coach Khanyeza has been focusing on our defensive structure and shape. We are coming from a 6-0 loss against Sundowns which is a worrying factor for us," Vilakazi said.
"In order to win games, you have to be strong defensively. We have been busy helping our players and working on the psychological aspect and focusing on changes in the team.
"The atmosphere is looking good and players are looking refreshed. We realize the importance of getting into a good position at the end of the season. The players are happy for the opportunity given to them."
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune are currently enduring a six-match winless run in the league having succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy at home and it was their second successive defeat in the competition.
As a result, Babina Noko are placed 10th on the DStv Premiership standings - four points behind eighth-placed SuperSport and a win over Arrows will revive their hopes of finishing in the top eight.
Sekhukhune have since brought in Owen Da Gama as a co-coach and the experienced tactician has revealed what he will bring to the ambitious club.
“I am so pleased and so happy to be part of a team for the future in South Africa. This team is going to go far," Da Gama said.
"The management is very professional, the supporting staff are very professional, everyone is up to scratch. Using my experience of coaching in the PSL in the last 20 years, the important question is how to motivate the players.
"We have to get into the heads of the players, to understand where they are and what their ambitions are and what they want to achieve.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Golden Arrows:
Nduduzo Sibiya: The skillful attacking midfielder tends to create chances for his teammates having provided two assists in the league this term and his creativity could be key to an Arrows win against Sekhukhune having grabbed an assist as the two teams drew 1-1 in the first round league clash in September 2021.
Knox Mutizwa: The Zimbabwe international, who is Arrows' all-time leading goalscorer, has been the team's main source of goals in the current campaign having netted seven times across all competitions. Mutizwa will be keen to add to his tally when he faces Gallaxy, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their six games.
Sekhukhune United:
Tshediso Patjie: The pacey winger has been one of the most creative players in the league this term having provided five assists only Khama Billiat, Themba Zwane and Lyle Lakay have more assists than him. Patjie has the ability to play an instrumental role in helping Sekhukhune snap their six-match winless run.
Chibuike Ohizu: The Nigerian centre forward remains Babina Noko's first-choice striker having netted seven goals in the current season. Ohizu, who is in his debut season in the local top flight, will be confident of ending his goal drought when he faces Arrows' leaky defence having conceded six goals in their defeat to Sundowns.