Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Lamontville Golden Arrows have a tough assignment tonight when they host Free State Stars at Chatsworth Stadium.

Manqoba Mngqithi's charges, who meet the visitors at 7.30, are fifth on the Absa Premiership table having won only two of their past six matches.

The prospect of facing the red-hot Ea lla Koto, who humiliated league champions SuperSport United at the weekend, could be daunting.

Up front the home side's Richard Henyekane is deadly, and so are Kagiso Senamela and Kagisho Dikgacoi who is back from suspension.

But defenders Siyabonga Sangweni and Siyanda Zwane will have to track the every move of Stars' Sthembiso Ngcobo.

Ngcobo scored a brace against AmaZulu and SuperSport United and is being watched closely by opposition coaches.

"This match will be really tough. We will have to close Arrows down from the first minute of the match," Ngcobo said.

Bafana Bes'thende lost their last match to Orlando Pirates, but Mngqithi said then that there was no need to panic.

Meanhwile, SuperSport United's 4-1 humiliation by Ea lla Koto on Sunday has not dampened their spirits prior to their encounter this afternoon against Maritzburg United, says striker Anthony Laffor.

United travel to Maritzburg - who humbled league leaders Ajax Cape Town 2-0 on Saturday.

"We are not panicking. What happened on Saturday is normal in football. It's now history to us and we are completely focused on this match," Laffor said.

But with former United players Senzo Ndlovu, Sipho Mngomezulu, Tony Tsabedze and Siphiwe Mkhonza strengthening the home side with the inside information, it is unlikely SuperSport could repeat the 5-0 routing they handed Maritzburg in the first round.

Kickoff is at 3.30pm.