Golden Arrows and TS Galaxy will kick off the Saturday instalment of the Betway premiership action at the Mpumalanga Stadium at 3pm.
Both teams arrive in fine form; the Arrows have managed to secure five wins in their last seven league outings, while TS Galaxy remains unbeaten over the same stretch.
The hosts Arrows seemingly hold the edge in terms of momentum and confidence ahead of this encounter with their win against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs last weekend still fresh in their minds.
🚨 UPCOMING GAME🚨
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) January 15, 2025
🏆 #betwaypremiership
🆚 @TSGALAXYFC
🗓️ Sat 18 Jan 2025
🏟️ Mpumalanga stadium (Hammarsdale)
⏰ 15:30
📺 SS PSL & SABC Sport#sthendeway #10betgoldenarrows #greenandgold pic.twitter.com/OLIxNK46qa
Abafana Besthende had been the subject of unsettling news last month with head coach Mabhudi Khenyeza eventually departing the club.
However, 2025 has seemingly brought about reasonable freshness for the Lamontville-based outfit who are now firmly in the conversation for a possible place in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Arrows will kick off in this match in fifth place on the league’s standings, just five points off third-placed Polokwane City who would have played two more games before Arrows kicks off in Hammarsdale.
Galaxy on the other hand have seemingly put the departure of coach Sead Ramovic behind them with his ex-assistant Adnan Beganovic leading the side to two wins and three draws in their last five league matches.
The Rockets in 11th spot, are looking to build a gap between themselves and the relegation zone as they sit just two points off a place in the top eight and a win against Arrows could see them climb as high as seventh.
The action doesn’t stop there with the floodlights turned on as Chippa United make their much-anticipated return to competitive football, hosting Marumo Gallants at the Buffalo City Stadium in an 8 pm kick-off.
With their last fixture dating back to late December, the Chilli Boys have had an extended hiatus after succumbing to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs.
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) January 6, 2025
This absence from the pitch means the team is itching to prove their mettle against Gallants and begin climbing the league standings where they currently sit precariously in 12th place.
Under new leadership, Chippa's coaching duo of Thabo September and assistant Khenyeza are keen to reinvigorate the squad left by the departed Kwanele Kopo.
Their strategic approach will be closely watched as they seek to galvanise a side that has struggled to find consistency. The performance against Gallants will be a crucial test and an opportunity to set the tone for the remainder of the season.
The Chilli Boys head into this match in 14th place just six points off 15th place Richards Bay, a league bracket they’re desperate to escape as the halfway stage of the season approaches.
Identical to Chippa, Gallants have also collected 14 points in their 13 matches so far and will hope to snatch a valuable three points against what seems to be their direct rivals at the moment.
The Bloemfontein-based club have spun three consecutive losses into a draw and a win in their last two matches and will look to keep their upward trajectory going in Gqeberha.