Bradley Grobler continued his heroics for Sekhukhune United as he scored a late winner to hand Babina Noko a 1-0 victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows in their Betway Premiership encounter at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Grobler has now scored five goals in six matches, moving his career tally to 124 in South African top flight competition, as the striker seemingly cannot stop scoring.
Babina Noko remained top of the table on 19 points, four points ahead of reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Abafana Bes'thende, who came close to claiming their first clean sheet of the season, continue to struggle. They have now lost four of their seven league games so far and sit in 10th place on the log.
Sekhukhune started hot in the seventh minute, with Mokete Mogaila feeding Ronaldo Maarman in the box. Using his chest to take a touch, Maarman set himself for what would have been a spectacular goal, but he could not find the target.
In the eighth minute, Bradley Grobler uncharacteristically missed a chance. Bright Ndlovu’s cross was headed into Grobler’s path in the middle of the box by Vusimuzi Mncube, with the veteran striker sending his volley off target.
Arrows responded in the 12th minute with an opportunity of their own, as Nqobeko Dlamini flicked the ball towards Oumar Komara at the back post, who could not make enough contact with the ball at full stretch to nudge it into the back of the net.
Siyanda Ndlovu took a right-footed attempt from outside the area in the 24th minute, however, his shot flew over the bar.
In the 27th minute, Sabelo Sithole received a cut-back from Junior Dion on the edge of the area, but sent his effort wide of the right post.
Abafana Bes'thende were forced to scramble in the 42nd minute as Ayabulela Maxwele slipped, allowing Siphesihle Mkhize to intercept the ball. Mkhize found Vuyo Letlapa’s overlapping run in the box but Keenan Phillips stepped in with a perfectly timed slide-tackle to deny the hosts another opportunity.
Despite 11 shots at goal between the two sides in the first half, only three attempts were on target and neither team was able to break the deadlock before the halftime whistle.
Babina Noko nearly found the opener in the first minute of the second half. Maarman and Mogaila linked up well on the right side of the box, creating space for Mogaila to find Grobler at the back post. However, his ball across the face of goal had too much pace for Grobler to get on the end of it.
In the 50th minute, Golden Arrows’s corner clearance went as far as Daniel Cardoso, whose volley was dangerously close to sneaking into the posts.
Sekhukhune goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata almost cost his side in the 58th minute as he failed to control Cardoso’s backpass, but calmly recollected the ball before it could cross his goal line.
In the 62nd minute, Letlapa’s cross took a deflection, bouncing in front of Mogaila who was well positioned in front of goal but could not convert.
Sekhukhune broke upfield with rapid pace in the 66th minute as substitute Keletso Makgalwa showed his skill, going from his own half to the edge of the Arrows box. He found Maarman on his right, whose effort was kept out by Phillips on the goalline.
Ndlovu unleashed a rocket from long range In the 81st minute, which was kept out by goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa on his Golden Arrows debut after joining from Siwelele.
The hosts’ persistence paid off in the third minute of stoppage time as Mogaila’s cross arrived at the back post and Grobler rose above two defenders to head the ball home for his fifth league goal of the season.
Sekhukhune will look to hold on to top spot on Wednesday when they host 15th-place Chippa United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Golden Arrows will face a tough task on Wednesday as they welcome Mamelodi Sundowns to the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.
Sekhukhune United (0) 1 (Grobler 90+3’)
Lamontville Golden Arrows 0
Sekhukhune United: T. Nsabata, B. Ndlovu, V. Letlapa (K. Makgalwa 63’), S. Mkhize, D. Cardoso, V. Mncube, T. Monare (M. Timm 77’), S. Mogaila, S. Langa, B. Grobler, R. Maarman (T. Mokoane 77’).
Lamontville Golden Arrows: T. Mbanjwa, T. Mantshiyane, S. Sithole (N. Sibiya 59’), S. Cele, A. Jiyane, S. Ndlovu (A. Booysen 60’), N. Dlamini, O. Komara (T. Matlaba 60’), K. Phillips, J. Dion, A. Maxwele