Baroka FC and Golden Arrows will both be looking for a return to form in the Absa Premiership when they meet at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesaday evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT.
Baroka suffered a second successive defeat (and have won just once in their last eight league outings) after they succumbed 2-1 away to Highlands Park last time out.
Bakgaga have claimed just nine points from 11 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 3-1 loss against derby rivals Polokwane City.
Arrows have gone four league matches without a win and suffered an eighth defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-0 at Polokwane City this past weekend.
Abafana Bes’thende have claimed 11 points from 12 away matches this season, and have not won on the road since the opening round of the 2018/19 campaign.
When the teams met earlier this season, at the Princess Magogo Stadium in November 2018, Baroka claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Jemondre Dickens and Vusi Sibiya.
WHAT THEY SAID
Baroka FC head coach Wedson Nyirenda:
“There is a lot to change, but we need to keep our faith,” said Nyirenda.
“We need to keep going, keep pushing until the end of the season to keep our top-flight status and then bring in the right players. I think most of them don’t deserve to play [in the] PSL [Absa Premiership].
“I will be blunt, I will honest, this is not PSL [standard].”
Golden Arrows head coach Steve Komphela:
“[It was] a very difficult and intense match (against Polokwane City), during a period where mental strength is required,” said Komphela.
“We had a terrible start to the match where we failed to connect passes. We gave away possession at a very high rate resulting in the opponent getting break attacks.
“It is all about mental strength [at this stage of the season]. It’s a dog eats dog world, those who are more hungry will get results.”
BAROKA FC KEY PLAYERS
Mduduzi Mdantsane: The midfielder has featured in all but one of the club’s league games this season, having established himself as arguably the most important player at the club. The key cog in Bakgaga’s midfield, Mdantsane has contributed directly to five goals in his last four matches and the skipper will play an integral part in Baroka’s survival push in the business end of the season.
Thabiso Semenya: The evergreen defender continues to form a prominent part of the Bakgaga setup this season and his experience will be key during what is a difficult period for the club following all the early season excitement. Semenya will be hoping to help keep quite a hard-running Arrows outfit who are equally desperate for a win as the relegation battle intensifies.
GOLDEN ARROWS KEY PLAYERS
Lerato Lamola: Following a mid-season rise in form, the tireless forward has suffered a dip in recent weeks and with the pressure mounting, Komphela will be counting on the striker to fire the KwaZulu-Natal side to safety. Following a frustrating outing in the Limpopo province this past weekend, Lamola will be hoping to find the back of the net on Wednesday evening.
Limbikani Mzava: Key to the Arrows setup, Mzava is arguably the first name on the team sheet fit. Coming up against a Baroka outfit eager to prove a point, the Malawian will have to be at his best if Arrows are to grab a rare win on their their travels.
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