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Arrows beat Gallants to claim top spot

rugby21 September 2024 15:00| © Backpage TXT
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Golden Arrows players @ Gallo images

Golden Arrows maintained their good start to the Betway Premiership season by securing a 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday afternoon.

The win elevated Abafana Bes'thende to the top of the league standings and they will be looking to make it three wins from their first three matches when they play host to Magesi FC on Wednesday.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the league standings and they will be desperate to avoid a third successive defeat when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns away on Tuesday.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa created the better chances in the opening exchanges of the match, but they couldn't take them. Abafana Bes'thende finished the first-half the better of the two teams and they converted their opportunities.

Knox Mutizwa handed the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute when he beat goalkeeper Edward Maova with a low shot, before Nduduzo Sibiya netted with a header in the 44th minute and Arrows were 2-0 up at halftime.

Daniel Msendami and Thapelo Mokobodi were both introduced before the start of the second-half by coach Dan Malesela as Gallants looked to score at least two goals without conceding.

Msendami set up Siyabulela Shai in the 85th minute, but the latter couldn't keep his header on target. Arrows then stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately, they emerged as 2-0 winners.

Arrows (2) 2 (Mutizwa 39', Sibiya Sibiya 44')

Gallants (0) 0

Arrows: Maova, Phillips (Gumbi 74'), Shitolo, Manshiyane, Cele, Sibiya (Nguse 61'), Zuke, Zwane (Theron 61'), Mthanti (Rooi 54'), Mutizwa, Masuku (Ncube 61').

Gallants: Akpeyi, Rikhotso, Sithole, Sibiya, Mabotja, Mlambo (Mokobodi 46'), Manaka, Shai (Wagaba 77'), Mahlatsi (Mhango 77'), Dhludhlu (Msendami 46'), Nhlapo (Mphambaniso 77').

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