Arrows eye hat-trick of wins with KZN victory

Golden Arrows will be targeting a third successive Betway Premiership win when they host Richards Bay at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Abafana Bes'thende extended their unbeaten run to three matches in the league when they claimed a 3-2 win over Cape Town City at home on 1 December and it was also their second consecutive victory.

Therefore, Arrows are placed sixth in the Betway Premiership standings with 13 points from eight matches and a win over Richards Bay would elevate Abafana Bes'thende to the fourth spot if Chippa United fail to beat Cape Town City on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Richards Bay stretched their winless run to nine matches in the league when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United at home on 6 December and it was also their fifth defeat in a row.

As a result, the Natal Rich Boys remain in the 16th spot in the Betway Premiership standings with five points from 10 matches, but a victory over Arrows will see Richards Bay climb out of the relegation zone if the other results go their way.

TEAM NEWS

Golden Arrows and Richards Bay have no suspension worries coming into this KwaZulu-Natal Derby encounter.

Richards Bay will be boosted by the availability of Somila Ntsundwana who served his one-match suspension against SuperSport United.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza

“The players are getting stronger and the character is getting better and a desire to win is growing every time,” Khenyeza said.

“We had a challenge last season but this term you can see they are growing and this is the same group that we suffered with. Now they understand even when they concede first they manage to come back and fight.”

Richards Bay interim coach Ronnie Gabriel

“During these times, yes, the moments are not going our way. You look at today, we miss the penalty, we dominated the game," Gabriel said.

"And they got the goal in the dying stages of the game and we go home with no points. It is the sad result, but we will have to grow from this and learn how to maybe finish off games and become better going to the Golden Arrows.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ryan Moon, Golden Arrows: The lanky striker is in the form of his life having scored three goals and provided an assist in his last two matches, and he will pose a threat to the Natal Rich Boys in the box.

Yanela Mbuthuma, Richards Bay: The promising striker has scored in two of his last three matches as he displayed his goal scoring ability, and will be keen to find the back of the net in the KZN Derby.

HEAD TO HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2022/23 Arrows 0-2 Bay Ntsundwana, Mabaso

2022/23 Bay 0-1 Arrows Moon

2023/24 Bay 1-2 Arrows Komane (pen); Moon, Ncube

2023/24 Arrows 2-1 Bay Sibiya, Ncube; Ntsundwana

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2022/23)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Arrows 2 1 0 1 2 3

Bay 2 0 0 2 1 3

Away

P W D L GF GA

Arrows 2 2 0 0 3 1

Bay 2 1 0 1 3 2

Total

P W D L GF GA

Arrows 4 3 0 1 5 4

Bay 4 1 0 3 4 5