Golden Arrows returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership this week after a tough 3-2 victory against Cape Town City in what was a back-and-forth affair at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After building a two-goal cushion in the first half, City clawed their way back into the encounter courtesy of goals by Gabriel Amato and Amadou Soukouna in the second half. However, it was Nqobeko Dlamini who had the last say after edging City with a goal in the 74th minute.
The Citizens looked lively during the opening stages of the game and held most of the ball during the first five minutes. As Arrows struggled to get into the tie, City progressed the ball up field with relative ease.
However, it was Arrows who took the lead as Themba Mantshiyane added his name to the scoresheet in the ninth minute. After being awarded a corner, Mantshiyane popped up in the right place to guide the ball home from close range.
Abafana Bes’thende doubled their advantage moments later as Ryan Moon continued his blistering form by getting on the scoreboard in the 15th minute. After a well-worked passing move en route to goal, Moon availed himself in the middle of the area before unleashing a right-footed shot beyond Darren Keet.
City bossed proceedings after conceding their second goal at the Mpumalanga Stadium but were unable to make the most of their attacking advancements, as seen in attempts made by Shakeel April and Gabriel Amato.
Nevertheless, the first half ended with Arrows two-goal lead intact while Eric Tinkler’s charges looked blunt in attack.
The Cape side applied immediate pressure after the restart and pulled one back within 10 minutes of the restart. After City created a couple of scoring opportunities in quick succession, Amato was the one who eventually found the back of the net with a left-footed shot from the centre of the 18-yard area.
With Tinkler and company clicking, City levelled the scoreline moments after the hour mark with Soukouna joining Amato on the scorecard. After another clinical move toward the box, Soukouna made sure to give his side a lifeline with a right-footed effort in the danger zone.
Then, despite all City’s hard work, it was Arrows who took the lead with 15 minutes to go as Dlamini joined the party. With Abafana Bes’thende knocking, City were caught on the back foot inside the small box as Dlamini guided the ball from close range.
Following a cagey affair toward the end of the game, it was Arrows who walked away with maximum points at the Mpumalanga Stadium.
Golden Arrows: (2) 3 (Mantshiyane 9’, Moon 15’, Dlamini 74’)
Cape Town City: (0) 2 (Amato 54’, Soukouna 64’)
Golden Arrows: Maova, Phillips, Shitolo, Mantshiyane, Lukhele (Cele 70’), Ndwandwe, Dube (Dlamini 61’), Mthanti, van Rooi (Mchunu 67’), Moon (Libamba 67’), Sibiya (Ncube 61’)
Cape Town City: Keet, Nyama, Cupido, Ziba, Mkhize (Dondolo 58’), Sereets (Francis 80’), Amato (Nodada 59’), Mokotjo (Goedeman 59’), April (Soukouna 46’), Tjiueza, Domingo