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Arrows seeking first win in seven meetings with Maroons

genericsport29 April 2024 14:58| © Backpage TXT
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Junior Medieta © Gallo Images

Golden Arrows head coach Steve Komphela has called for more commitment from his players when they take on high-flying Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday, 1 May.

Kick-off is at 5:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Komphela was critical of their performance against Cape Town City in the first half as Abafana Bes'thende battled back from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, 28 April.

It was their third stalemate in a run of four games for Komphela's side, who dropped down to 10th place in the DStv Premiership, having seen Kaizer Chiefs go one point above them into eighth position.

Arrows played out to a goalless draw with Stellies in the reverse fixture on 16 September 2023 under Mabhuti Khenyeza and they're looking to snap a six-match winless streak against the Cape Winelands outfit.

Steve Barker's side are riding the crest of a wave after the 5-0 demolition of Polokwane City on Saturday, 27 April, extended their unbeaten sequence to an impressive 17 matches.

The Maroons (2nd) have now won three of their last five outings to maintain their three-point cushion to Orlando Pirates in the race for CAF Champions League football.

Barker showered Iqraam Rayners with praise after his five-goal haul against Rise And Shine saw the striker become only the second player in the PSL era to achieve that feat in a single match.

WHAT WAS SAID

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker

"They were five special goals. Sometimes in four or five you will get one or two [that are special], but I thought everyone was well thought out and well struck, they were quality finishes.

"He has become a top goalscorer and for me he is playing himself in contention to be [PSL] Player of the Season."

Golden Arrows head coach Steve Komphela

"I thought we had a poor first half from a physical point of view, we did not want to commit ... we needed the commitment to the game, not contribution - everybody can contribute, but how many of us are committed to stay true to the cause?

"We lacked honesty in the first half and we fought in the dressing room [at halftime]. We came back, the reaction was proper.

"Football is about one-on-ones. If I'm defending and I'm strong one-on-one, I'll win the defensive part. If I'm an offensive player [and] I win my one-on-one, I'll win the attack. So you've got to win your duels, win your one-on-one."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stellenbosch - Iqraam Rayners has certainly put himself in the frame to at least challenge the Mamelodi Sundowns contingent for PSL Player of the Season.

The 28-year-old striker has leapt to the top of the scoring charts with 13 goals following his quintuple at the weekend as he moved two clear of Tshegofatso Mabasa and Lucas Ribeiro in the race for the Golden Boot.

Golden Arrows - Nduduzo Sibiya has matured under Komphela after scoring three goals in his last six appearances for the KZN club.

The 28-year-old winger was named Man of the Match after scoring the equaliser against the Citizens to make it five goals for the season, eclipsing his tally of four achieved in 2022-23.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (Last five DStv Premiership meetings)

Matches - 5

Stellenbosch wins - 2

Arrows wins - 0

Draws - 3

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