Golden Arrows secured a narrow 1-0 away win over Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership match played at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Friday evening,
Pule Mmodi scored the only goal as Abafana Bes’thende claimed a second win from their last three league outings, while the Birds suffered a second straight league loss and a third from their last four in the top flight.
The result takes Arrows to 10th spot (just one point outside the top half of the table), while Swallows are 14th and just three points above the relegation playoff zone.
FULL-TIME:@Moroka_Swallows 0-1 @goldenarrowsfc1#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/MdeJ3F4p66
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 17, 2023
The teams traded half chances through the opening quarter hour, before Arrows claimed the lead in the 16th minute via Pule Mmodi. A quick attack from the visitors was finished with aplomb from outside the penalty area, as Mmodi fired a shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Swallows looked for a quick response and almost drew level in the 19th minute when Kagiso Malinga went for goal direct from a free kick, but he was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana.
On the half-hour mark the Birds thought they had equalised when Lindokuhle Mtshali provided a crisp finish beyond Mlungwana, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The 37th minute brought a fine attack from Abafana Bes’thende, as Mmodi and Knox Mutizwa combined to set up Nduduzo Sibiya, but he was denied by a sharp save from Akpeyi.
ATTACKING PRESSURE
In injury time before the break, Arrows had another chance when Sibiya teed up Mutizwa for a header at the far post, but the striker put his effort wide of the mark to leave the score 1-0 in favour of the away team at the break.
Swallows opted for a triple change at the start of the second half, with Tawanda Macheke, Evans Rusike and Tlakusani Mthethwa introduced off the bench, and they had some added impetus in the early minutes after the restart, including David Uromi striking the woodwork on 57 minutes.
Yet Arrows regained a rhythm and began to create attacking pressure of their own, with Sibiya notably striking a shot just wide of the mark on 61 minutes, while Mutizwa also went close from a free kick a short while later.
The Birds looked set to equalise via Mtshali when he got on the end of a great cross on 72 minutes, but Mlungwana made an outstanding save to keep the away side in control.
And Abafana Bes’thende were able to see out the remainder of the match and secure a narrow but hard-earned victory.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action on the first weekend of April, with Swallows visiting AmaZulu and Arrows hosting Sekhukhune United.
Swallows FC 0
Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Mmodi 16’)
Swallows:Akpeyi, Damons (Sibiya 90+1’), Mngonyama, Allan, Sasman (Macheke 46’), Mtshali, Sait, Wambi (Rusike 46’), Sam, Uromi (Patjie 75’), Malinga (Mthethwa 46’)
Arrows: Mlungwana, Ndlovu, Nxadi, Mantshiyane, Cele, Mmodi (Hlatshwayo 85’), Sibiya (Lunga 89’), Dlamini, Magawana (Moon 68’), Makhubela, Mutizwa