Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Orlando Pirates Preview

Kermit Erasmus Orlando Pirates forward will be aiming to reclaim the form that got him to France in his first spell at Mayfair

Lamontville Golden Arrows will host Orlando Pirates at the Princess Magogo Stadium tonight at 19:30, with another set of games in the DStv Premiership on the horizon.  

Arrows are in eighth position, having only lost one game in the last five encounters, while their opponents Pirates, struggle to score goals with one win in their previous five matches. 

Having said that, the Buccaneers are in fifth position, just three points off the top but desperate for a win, with pressure mounting on the new Head Coach Jose Riveiro to solve their lack of goals conundrum. According to OptaJabu, Orlando Pirates have not scored a single goal in the second half in any of their 11 league matches this season. 

Abafana Bes’thende will be hoping to capitalise on this poor form by utilising the dangerous Pule Mmodi, who has scored the most goals for Arrows since the start of last season. On the other side Kermit Erasmus will certainly try to rally the troops again, having made a meaningful contribution in his first start since his return, earning themselves a draw against AmaZulu, even though the goal was recorded as an own goal by Goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.  

Pule Mmodi a key part of the Golden Arrows arsenal looking to over throw the Buccaneers
Pule Mmodi a key part of the Golden Arrows arsenal looking to over throw the Buccaneers

The likes of Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo will need to step up, but will the coach use him in his preferred number 10 position, or will he push him higher up the pitch, sticking with the three at the back formation?  With the “Happy People” not so happy at the moment, a big win is needed to reignite their season, and for Golden Arrows it’s about heaping more misery on the Soweto Giants, leaving their hierarchy with an important decision to make going into the MTN 8 second leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.     

Kermit Erasmus Orlando Pirates forward will be aiming to reclaim the form that got him to France in his first spell at Mayfair
Kermit Erasmus Orlando Pirates forward will be aiming to reclaim the form that got him to France in his first spell at Mayfair