Golden Arrows commenced their 2024-25 Betway Premiership campaign on the right note after claiming a 2-0 win against Stellenbosch FC, in what was a tough battle at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
With there being little to separate the two teams on the night, two late second-half goals by Siyanda Mthanti and Lungelo Nguse were enough for Arrows to walk away with all three points in their opening league tie.
A late penalty for Arrows adds salt into Stellies wounds on a difficult opening night 👇#BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/IBueWm8JlL
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 18, 2024
The game commenced at a fairly rapid pace, with both sides creating scoring chances inside the first 10 minutes. Arrows pressured the home team into making a few errors on the edge of their own box but ultimately did well to neutralise the danger.
As the rain began to pour down at the Athlone Stadium, Stellenbosch looked dangerous on the break and often breached the Arrows defence on the left-hand side of the pitch. With the possession count shared at the 20th-minute mark, both sides showcased serious attacking intent at every opportunity.
The Cape Winelands side dominated play midway through the first half but often fell short at the final hurdle. Not holding back, an animated Mabhuti Khanyeza continued to motivate his side, as the Durban-based outfit continued to trouble the Stellenbosch backline.
GOALLESS AT HALFTIME
Nevertheless, following a tense half of football in Athlone, the referee called time on the first 45 minutes with the score level at 0-0.
Steve Barker’s side saw most of the ball after the restart and actively searched for an opener during the first 10 minutes of the subsequent half. However, Abafana Bes’thende proved to be a tough nut to crack in their own half.
Then, in a moment that shocked the Stellenbosch backline, Arrows took the lead against the run of play in the 69th minute of the encounter. After a swift counter-attacking move en route to goal, Mthanti produced a low driving shot that beat Sage Stephens toward the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.
Abafana Bes’thende kicked into game-management mode after taking the lead while Stellenbosch immediately went on the attack. With an increase in tempo to the game with around 10 minutes to play, the home team seemed desperate to grab an equaliser.
Arrows put the final nail in the coffin deep into stoppage time after they were awarded a penalty 95th minute of the match. In stepping up to the spot, Nguse did well to bury his effort as Arrows bagged maximum points in Cape Town.
Stellenbosch FC: 0
Golden Arrows: (0) 2 (Mthanti 69’, Nguse 90+5’)
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Jurgens, Mandela, Toure, Basadien, Adams (de Jong 64’), Palace (Butsaka 64’), Jabaar (Mini 88’), Barns, Cupido, Phili (Titus 64’)
Golden Arrows: Maova, Cele, Shitolo, Mantshiyane, Phillips, Zuke, Zwane (Gumbi 58’), Masuku (Nguse 58’), Sibiya (van Rooi 58’), Mthanti (Sibeko 89’), Mutizwa (Theron 85’)