Absa Premiership
Teams: Maritzburg United v Golden Arrows
Date: 05 August 2018
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United and Golden Arrows will be eyeing perfect starts to their Absa Premiership campaign when they lock horns in the Kwazulu-Natal derby on Sunday afternoon.
The match is scheduled to get underway at 18h00.
The Team of Choice had a brilliant campaign the previous season where they finished fourth on the standings and reached the Nedbank Cup final.
Fadlu Davids’ charges however could not lift the cup as they were edged by Free State Stars but they would have gained invaluable experience from that cup run and league challenge.
The Durban-based side however have lost one of their key players in Lebohang Maboe who joined Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday, but they have brought in Nazeer Alli, Keagan Buchanan, Denwin Farmer, Sizwe Muthwa and Tholang Masegela
On the other hand, Abafana Bes’thende were blowing hot and cold last term and eventually finished eighth.
The Lamontville based side have not been that busy either in the transfer market but managed to sign Portuguese striker João Moreira, Divine Lunga and Siyanda Zwane from Mamelodi Sundowns on a season-long loan.
TArrows have also lost an influential player as Kudakwashe Mahachi joined Orlando Pirates and made his debut in their 1-1 draw with Highlands Park.
The two sides recently clashed in the KZN Premiers Cup, where Arrows edged the Team of Choice 1-0, before going on to win the cup.
Here's how they line up:
Maritzburg: Ofori, Sanoka, Xulu, Shandu, Tlhone, De Reuck, Ndlovu, Buchanan, Makaringe, Mokate, Kunene.
Subs: Mpandle, Mekoa, Matima, Farmer, Atouba, Masegela, Zindoga.
Arrows: Gumede, S.Zwane, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Lunga, Venter, Molefe, Phiri, Sabelo, Mutizwa, Lamola.
Subs: Mbaeva, Bilankulu, Dube, Cele, Moreira, Sibiya, Magubane.
