Top-eight chasing Golden Arrows aim to end winless run against CAF hopefuls Stellenbosch

Golden Arrows’ top-eight ambitions have taken a few knocks in recent matches, with a short winless run placing them on the back foot ahead of the visit of Stellenbosch FC. 

The two teams will clash at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale today at 3pm, and both clubs are eager to keep their respective targets intact.

For the hosts Arrows, it’s been three games since they last tasted victory, their loss against Durban rivals AmaZulu last time out making a telling blow. 

The Lamontville-based club now find themselves amongst relegation strugglers in 12th spot, albeit having played fewer matches.

However, coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s men now find themselves four points adrift of eighth-placed Chippa United, and although their target remains reachable, they would need to turn their form around. 

The club have won just two of their last 12 outings in all competitions, a form that will not suffice in the final six games to seal a top-eight place. 

On the side of the visitors, it has been a turbulent last seven days, having bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals and then going on to beat Chippa United at home on Tuesday. 

“We are showing that we can ground out results even when we’re not at our best, similar to what we did in our last home [league] game against AmaZulu. It’s a massive three points for us at home and keeps us in a position we want to be in,” said head coach Steve Barker after the match.

His team will need to be in that kind of mood when their return to what has become their second home in Durban if they want to strengthen their push for continental football again.

Stellies not only sit three points behind Sekhukhune in third, but they are also five points behind second place Orlando Pirates, opening the avenue to either Champions League or Confederation Cup football next season. 

In terms of form, unsurprisingly Stellenbosch have the upper hand having lost that one game against Simba SC in their last six matches.

What will worry coach Barker, though, is his side’s lack of goals in that run, having not scored more than one in those seven matches. 

With the injury to Ashley Cupido and the already missing Bradley Mojela, Barker will have to look at the likes of Devin Titus to bring the required spark in attack against an Arrows side with two clean sheets in 12. 

The head-to-head battles between these two teams have been evenly matched in recent years, with two draws, a win for Arrows and two wins for Stellenbosch in the last five outings.

That solitary win for Abafana Bes’thende came this season in the Cape Winelands, as Siyanda Mthanti and Lungelo Nguse decided matters on that day. 

As both teams look to collect vital three points, this encounter is nicely poised for a lot of goals, a tactical battle and special moments.