Sekhukhune United will look to return to winning ways in the Betway Premiership when they host Golden Arrows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Babina Noko stretched their unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions when they drew 1-1 with Chippa United at home on Wednesday as Thabang Monare cancelled out Bienvenu Eva Nga's opening goal.
Sekhukhune have registered two successive victories and one draw during their current unbeaten run, and they are placed sixth on the Betway Premiership standings with four points from two matches.
Arrows, on the other hand, saw their six-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to top-flight debutants, Magesi FC on Thursday.
Abafana Bes'thende had registered three successive draws and three consecutive wins before losing to Magesi, and they are occupying the fourth spot on the Betway Premiership standings with six points from three matches.
TEAM NEWS
Sekhukhune will be monitoring their new signing Sipho Mbule's fitness condition ahead of this encounter, but they don't have any suspension concerns.
Meanwhile, Arrows also do not have any suspension issues and they could welcome back Siyanda Mthanti after the exciting youngster missed the game against Magesi.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Sekhukhune United head coach Lehlohonolo Seema
"We tried you can see that, it's the second game of the Betway Premiership season, we are a work in progress," Seema said.
"This is because some of the decisions that we make in the final third, we still have to work with them (players) even more.
"Against a team that is defending deeper, we need to find a way to break them. Their [Chippa] goalkeeper also made some crucial saves which we are happy that we created and we had shots at goal."
Golden Arrows head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza
"We struggled a bit in terms of the sharpness of our players, a little bit of combination plays," Khenyeza said.
"But we were struggling a bit, which is good for the players because we have realised that [when] we can't play, let's absolve pressure and deal with the second phase.
“If they attack us, we immediately win the ball for transition then we can capitalise."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Keletso Makgalwa, Sekhukhune United: The gifted attacker grabbed a brace against Desportivo Lunda-Sul before providing an assist against Chippa. Makgalwa has what it takes to propel Sekhukhune to a victory over Arrows.
Nduduzo Sibiya, Golden Arrows: The experienced attacking midfielder remains Arrows' star player and he has already scored this season. Sibiya will be keen to play an important role in helping Arrows secure a win in Polokwane.
Head-to-Head
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2021/22 Sekhukhune 1-1 Arrows Maart (pen); M. Gumede
2021/22 Arrows 0-0 Sekhukhune
2022/23 Sekhukhune 1-0 Arrows Morris
2022/23 Arrows 0-0 Sekhukhune
2023/24 Sekhukhune 0-1 Arrows Theron
2023/24 Arrows 0-1 Sekhukhune Mokwana
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 3 1 1 1 2 2
Arrows 3 0 2 1 0 1
Away
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 3 1 2 0 1 0
Arrows 3 1 1 1 2 2
Total
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 6 2 3 1 3 2
Arrows 6 1 3 2 2 3