Arrows to open old wounds against Ajax

Cape Town - Golden Arrows and Ajax Cape Town will renew their cup rivalry when they meet in the last 16 of the Telkom Knockout at King Zwelithini Stadium.

The teams have clashed in five previous cup matches, all but one in the Telkom Knockout. That one exception was probably the most famous game between the sides, with Arrows claiming an incredible 6-0 win in the final of the 2009 MTN8.

That famous victory was one of two for the Durban side over their Cape Town counterparts, the other arriving in the teams’ last cup meeting, a Telkom KO quarterfinal in 2011 that Abafana Bes’thende won 2-1 away from home thanks to goals from Thamsanqa Gabuza and Thanduyise Khuboni.

Ajax’s two wins were 3-1 and 2-1 (both at home) in the quarterfinals of the 2008 and 2009 Telkom KO, while the teams also played to one draw in their first cup meeting, a last 16 clash in the TKO in 2006 which finished 1-1 after extra time before the Urban Warriors advanced on penalties.

In all, the teams have met in 33 league and cup matches. Ajax have 12 wins compared to nine for Arrows, while 12 matches have been drawn.

The teams have yet to meet this season, with their most recent clashes in the league in the 2013/14 season both ending in draws.

Arrows, who spent last season in the National First Division, last competed in the Telkom Knockout in 2013.

They reached the quarterfinals thanks to a surprise 3-2 away win over Bidvest Wits, but were then crushed 4-0 by Orlando Pirates.

Ajax have twice won the League Cup: 2000 when it was still known as the Rothmans Cup and 2008 when they defeated Orlando Pirates in the final of the Telkom Knockout.

Last season they defeated Black Aces 3-0 in the last 16 before going down 4-1 at the hands of Orlando Pirates in the quarters.

The Durban side missed this past weekend’s league action, and their most recent outing was on September 23 when they lost 2-1 at home to Black Aces.

Overall, Arrows have claimed two wins, one draw and two losses from their five league matches this season.

The Cape side has had mixed results of late, with their MTN8 final win over Kaizer Chiefs followed by a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns and a draw against the Amakhosi, both in the league. They will hope that their cup form peaks again for the Telkom Knockout.

Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday, October 3.