Golden Arrows aim to finally shoot down TS Galaxy

Golden Arrows return to league action this weekend with a renewed sense of purpose after nearly two weeks to recover from their Carling Knockout Cup disappointment before the international break.

The pause provided Abafana Bes’thende with valuable breathing space, but Sunday’s test at the Mbombela Stadium at 3:30pm is anything but forgiving as they prepare to face a TS Galaxy team that has consistently dominated this fixture.

Arrows’ season so far has been defined by both promise and unpredictability. Their recent run — three wins and two defeats in their last five matches across all competitions — reflects a team capable of sharp attacking bursts but equally vulnerable to momentum-killing lapses.

Their most recent league fixture, a narrow home loss to Orlando Pirates, exposed these frailties, particularly in the defensive third where structural cracks re-emerged under sustained pressure.

Statistically, Arrows remain a balanced yet inconsistent outfit. They have scored 18 goals and conceded 16, an indication of an attack that can trouble opponents but a defence that too often gives them work to do.

That defensive instability becomes even more concerning when paired with their away record: five matches on the road have yielded zero wins, one draw and four defeats. For a side coached by the attack-minded Manqoba Mngqithi — a tactician known for possession-dominant, creative football — those defensive gaps have often undermined the fluidity he tries to instil.

Arrows sit ninth on the Betway Premiership log, just behind their next opponents, but the psychological terrain of this match is where the real difficulty lies.

TS Galaxy have absolutely dominated the head-to-head landscape in league meetings, winning four of the last five encounters and drawing the other. Although they did eliminate Adnan Beganovic’s men in cup competition this season, Arrows have not beaten the Rockets in their last five attempts in the league, and their most recent encounter ended once again in Galaxy’s favour.

For Mngqithi’s side, this is more than a routine fixture — it is an opportunity to rewrite a stubborn narrative. The international break may have afforded the coach and his players time to recalibrate their defensive organisation and sharpen their structures, particularly in transition, where they have been repeatedly punished.

Galaxy, on the other hand, will enter the clash with confidence rooted in history, form, and tactical familiarity. But Arrows have shown glimpses this season of cohesive, incisive football capable of unsettling better-placed teams. The challenge is sustaining it.

If Arrows can stabilise defensively, embrace their attacking identity, and finally break their away-day drought, Sunday could mark a turning point. Otherwise, the Rockets may once again reinforce their dominance. Either way, the clash promises a compelling test of Arrows’ character and ambition.