Arrows & Chippa eye 8th position once again

Hoping to crack into the DStv Premiership top eight this season, Golden Arrows and Chippa United will do battle in an interesting matchup at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Sitting in 10th position, one point adrift of 8th place, Arrows go into their next game on the back of a 0-0 draw with reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Following a valiant defensive effort against Masandawana, Arrows remain winless in their last six league assignments. Abafana bes’thende most recent win came in 2-1 result against Richards Bay at the Mpumalanga Stadium on the 30th of March.

The Chilli Boys on the other hand are on a run of three straight defeats in the DStv Premiership, recording blanks against AmaZulu, Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates respectively.

Chippa last tasted victory on the 20th of April, where they bagged a 2-0 win against SuperSport United at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

As a result of their inconsistent form, Chippa now occupy 11th place on the log, two points behind Kaizer Chiefs in 8th.

WHAT WAS SAID…

“But looking at this Nguse kid, he is something else. He gave big boys trouble (against Sundowns). Mosa Lebusa must have felt him, and Mothobi Mvala must’ve said ‘who is this one’. Based on that, he has the ability. His positioning is top,” Steve Komphela said in praise of star striker Lungelo Nguse.

“From a physical point of view, he is strong. Technically, he finishes. Mentally, he is screwed up, he is a humble guy.

“All of these areas where you say ‘what do I want from a striker’, he’s got. We can only help him and elevate his confidence and he will be something else for South Africa.”

"He [Mpengesi] has got a bigger vision and I think right now we're part of that vision, that's the word from him that we are part of that vision for next season,'' Chippa United co-coach Thabo September said of his and Kwanele Kopo’s immediate future at the club.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GOLDEN ARROWS: Lungelo Nguse – After getting special praise from Komphela after Arrows stalemate against Sundowns, the Abadana Bes’thende star will no doubt be eager to impress this weekend. With six goals to his name in the league, Nguse’s physicality and presence makes him a tough customer to deal with throughout the 90 minutes.

CHIPPA UNITED: Elmo Kimbindu – Kimbindu has been one of the Chilli Boys top attackers this season and currently has four efforts to his name so far. Along with Sinoxolo Kwabiya, the Chippa attacking pair have the capabilities to offset the Abafana Bes’thende backline.