Lamontville Golden Arrows beat Mamelodi Sundowns for the first time in over five years, handing Masandawana their first loss of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season with a 1-0 win at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday.
Abafana Bes'thende moved up to ninth on the log after beating the reigning champions for the first time since 10 November 2019.
Sundowns did not perform well in coach Miguel Cardoso’s 50th game in charge of the club and are second on the table, one point behind Sekhukhune United who could extend their lead at the top of the table.
Khuliso Mudau made his first appearance of the season, while new Masandawana 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.
In the 22nd minute, Cupido’s pass forward was intercepted by Phillips, who found Dion making a promising run but the striker’s first touch too heavy, fouled Cupido trying to win the ball back
Dion missed another opportunity to put his side in front in the 25th minute. Ayabulela Maxwele got past Modiba near the half way line with a clever touch and played a perfectly placed ball into the box for Dion, but the Ivorian could not make contact from inside the six-yard box.
Dion finally found the back of the net for his fourth league goal of the season in the 30th minute. Khumalo found the Ivorian on an inswinging corner and this time the striker made no mistake, leaving Williams rooted to the spot.
Despite enjoying 73 per cent of the possession, Sundowns could only manage one shot all half and went into the break a goal down.
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.
Khumalo made a great run behind the Sundowns defence just two minutes later and was found by Ndlovu. The 24-year-old attempted to chip Williams, who was off his line, but his effort was sent wide by a deflection from Cupido.
In the 66th minute, Arrows presented danger on the counter-attack as 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 Masandawana 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.
Abafana Bes'thende will welcome Orbit college to the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday as they search for a second consecutive win.
Sundowns will look to bounce back against Richards Bay at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Lamontville Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Dion 30’)
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Golden Arrows: T. Mbanjwa, K. Phillips (T. Matlaba 80’), O. Komara, A. Jiyane, S. Cele, A. Maxwele (G. Shitolo 90+2), N. Dlamini, N. Zwane, P. Khumalo (I. Cissé 70’), J. Dion (J. Karlese 70’), S. Ndlovu (S. Sithole 70’)
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, A. Modiba, K. Cupido (M. Mvala 61’), M. Khoza, K. Mudau, M. Allende, T. Mokoena, J. Adams (N. Santos 46’), T. Matthews (K. Ntsabeleng 78’), P. Shalulile (L. Mothiba 59’), A. Sales (B. Mokoena 59