Lamontville Golden Arrows FC face a major test in the League Cup quarter-finals against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday. The side's recent form of one win, one draw and two losses from their last four games reflects their struggles.
Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a 1-0 loss to Amazulu last Friday following a 4-0 victory over Chippa United and a 1-0 defeat to Milford FC. That sequence leaves them 18 points behind the league leaders, who happen to be their next cup opponents. The team will look to players like S. Sithole and N. Zwane, who were on the scoresheet against Chippa, to provide a spark. The club's next fixture after the cup is a league match away to Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, but before that they host Marumo Gallants, who are 15th in the table, on Wednesday 4 November.
Team lineups and formations
In their last outing, Golden Arrows set up in a 4-3-3 formation with D. Msibi in goal behind a back four of K. Shezi, A. Jiyane, E. Agnikoi and N. Mabaso. The midfield trio was A. Maxwele, N. Dlamini and N. Zwane, supporting a front line of P. Kumalo, S. Dion and S. Sithole. Sundowns, meanwhile, last fielded a 4-1-3-2 shape featuring R. Goss in goal and an attack led by C. Mailula and B. León.
Recent results and form
Their last five results include convincing wins over Durban City, Marumo Gallants and Richards Bay, alongside two draws with Wiliete. According to the team's own data, Golden Arrows have conceded an average of 1.2 goal minutes per game in the first half of matches this season, a vulnerability they will need to address against Sundowns' potent attack. The 1-0 loss to Amazulu on Saturday 31 October, where Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scored the only goal, was a typical result in a season where the team has managed only one win, five draws and three losses in the league.
Focus now turns to halting that trend and causing an upset in the cup.
