Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
Golden Arrows secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League outing staged at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Khuliso Mudau made his first appearance of the season, while new Sundowns signing and former Portuguese U21 international Nuno Santos was handed his debut off the bench alongside Arrow’s new 18-year-old Ivorian Isaac Cissé.
Siyanda Ndlovu showed some brilliant skill in the ninth minute to beat Aubrey Modiba and escape into the Sundowns box, but he was dispossessed by Keanu Cupido before he could get a shot off.
Arrows were denied a golden opportunity in the 20th minute as Junior Dion broke to find himself one-on-one with Ronwen Williams. However, he was hastily judged to be offside.
Dion found the back of the net for his fourth league goal of the season in the 30th minute. Philani Khumalo found the Ivorian on an inswinging corner and this time the striker made no mistake, leaving Williams rooted to the spot.
Sundowns found the first opportunity of the second half in the 49th minute as substitute Santos found Tashreeq Matthews down the left side of the box. Matthew’s cross was just behind Sales in the box, who could not get enough power on his header to worry Thakasani Mbanjwa in goal.
In the 66th minute, Arrows presented danger on the counter-attack as Keenan Phillips broke down the right hand slide. He whipped the ball into the box, looking for Dion, who was forced to lay the ball off for Khumalo. The winger’s effort, however, was blocked by substitute Mothobi Mvala.
Mudau found Matthews in a dangerous position in the box in the 73rd minute, but the winger’s cross from the byline was stopped by Mbanjwa before it could reach Lebo Mothiba at the back post.
Bennet Mokoena came close to pulling Sundowns level in the 78th minute, but his effort sailed narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle.
In the 88th minute, Mvala nearly drew the visitors level from a corner, however, his header sailed over the crossbar.
Arrows should have doubled their lead deep into stoppage time as Jerome Karlese cut the ball back for Nhlanhla Zwane who forced Williams to make a brilliant save from close range.