Mamelodi Sundowns will aim to extend the gap at the top of the Betway Premiership standings as they face Golden Arrows in an important midweek clash on Wednesday.
This match comes just days after Abafana Besthende appointed former Downs tactician Manqoba Mngqithi as the new coach of the struggling KZN side.
The return of the king
Mngqithi’s return to Golden Arrows, after being let go by Sundowns in December, is bound to be filled with mixed emotions. The club confirmed Mngqithi’s appointment on Monday afternoon through their social media platforms, revealing that he would join Musa Bilankulu and Kagiso Dikgacoi on the technical staff.
While the team has shown glimpses of potential, they’ve lacked the consistency needed to climb up the standings, making Wednesday’s clash with Sundowns even more significant.
Read: Mngqithi Faces Test Against Former Club Sundowns
The challenge for Mngqithi is clear: not only must he face Sundowns soon after his departure, but he must also motivate an Arrows team that has underperformed recently. Currently, Arrows are sitting in 11th place on the log with just 20 points from 16 matches.
Player Spotlight
Lucas Ribeiro Costa has been pivotal in Sundowns’ success this season, topping the league’s scoring charts, and he is expected to cause trouble for Arrows once again in Hammarsdale.
The Brazilian was crowned Player of the Month for the second time this season, thanks to his outstanding contribution to Sundowns’ winning streak in February. The twenty-six-year-old played a key role in eight goals, scoring five and providing three assists.
Additionally, Ribeiro’s solo effort in Sundowns’ victory over Orlando Pirates in Tshwane was voted Goal of the Month, earning him back-to-back awards in the category after winning it in January.
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 19:30 on Wednesday, 05 March and will be carried live on the public broadcaster’s radio stations for commentary. The match will be broadcast live on satellite TV giants SuperSport channel 208 and can be streamed on Showmax.
Mpumalanga Stadium
The 3 000 seater stadium will host the clash between Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns. The Hammarsdale based stadium is a prominent sports venue in the region and serves as the home ground for the Lamontville Golden Arrows, competing in the Betway PSL.
The stadium is located approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Durban and is situated just a few minutes away from local amenities such as the Hammarsdale Mall and Elangeni College campus.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
Golden Arrows 6/1 | Draw 32/10 | Mamelodi Sundowns 9/20
It’s hard to see anything other than a win for Sundowns in this encounter.
I think the play is on Mamelodi Sundowns and over 2.5 goals at 12/10.