Golden Arrows have reclaimed a top eight place in the Betway Premiership after they defeated Sekhukhune United 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Abafana Bes’thende claimed all three points thanks to a late strike from Sabelo Sithole, racking up their eighth win from 22 league matches and leapfrogging Stellenbosch FC into eighth place on the log.
As for Babino Noko, this sixth league defeat of the season extended their winless run across all competitions to five matches.
They are placed fifth on the log, having been overtaken by Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, and could drop a further place depending on Durban City’s result later on Sunday.
The teams exchanged early half-chances – with Arrows’ Ayabulela Maxwele and United’s Lehlogonolo Mojela seeing shots blocked in the penalty area – before the visitors suffered a major injury blow, with striker Bradley Grobler stretchered off and in clear distress at whatever affliction he had suffered.
Grobler was replaced up front by debutant Olerato Mandi midway through the first half, around the same time that Arrows had the first notable shot on target, with Lungelo Nguse denied by a sharp save from Renaldo Leaner.
On 35 minutes Keletso Makgalwa pushed forward for Sekhukhune and let fly with a long-range drive, but his effort did not trouble Arrows goalie Edward Maova.
The very same attacker created the next opening, nine minutes into the second half, driving into the box from the left flank before looking to score from a tight angle, but a combination of Leaner and a crowded goalmouth kept the score at 0-0.
Arrows then enjoyed a spell of strong dominance which they failed to capitalise on, with Nqobeko Dlamini and Sabelo Sithole sending efforts off target after some impressive build-up play from the team in green and gold.
However, the home side was finally able to make their attacking pressure pay in the 82nd minute, with Sithole twisting and turning down the left of the penalty area before driving a shot beyond Leaner for 1-0.
Sekhukhune were achingly close to an equaliser in the 88th minute, with Maova making a brilliant save to claw away a deflected Makgalwa shot that looked destined for the back of the net.
The teams will be back in Betway Premiership action next month, with Sekhukhune away to AmaZulu FC on Monday, 6 April, and Arrows away to Orlando Pirates the following day.
Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Sithole 82’)
Sekhukhune United 0
Arrows: Maova, Shezi, Jiyane, Mabaso, Mafuleka (Maluleke 73’), Dlamini, Madonsela (Sithole 46’), Maxwele, Van Rooi (Zwane 64’), Gasa (Sibiya 73’), Nguse (Dion 64’)
Sekhukhune: Leaner, Mashiloane, Yamba, Cardoso, Letlapa (Rammala 75’), Mkhize, Khiba, Makgalwa, Mojela, Langa (Ngwenya 87’), Grobler (Mandi 22’ [Mokoena 87’])