| TEAM LINE UP | |
| 32 | R Williams |
| 25 | K Madau |
| 34 | M Mvala |
| 03 | R de Reuck |
| 37 | S Ngobeni (Lakay 76′) |
| 21 | S Mkhulise (Saavedra 61′) |
| 15 | A Jali |
| 24 | S Mbule (Maema 61′) |
| 38 | P Shalulile |
| 11 | M Allende (Mokoena 61′) |
| 18 | T Zwane (Kekana 86′) |
SUNDOWNS 2
Shalulile 44′(p)
Ndlovu 59′ (OG)
1 GOLDEN ARROWS
Mmodi 49′
Competition: DSTv Prem
Date: Saturday 10 September 2022
Venue: TUKS Stadium
Kick-off: 20h00
Sundowns made three changes from their win over Chippa United, as Sipho Mbule and Sifiso Ngobeni got their first starts alongside a recall for Sphelele Mkhulise while Divine Lunga on loan at Arrows, started against parent club.
The Brazilians were patient on the ball, as they sized Abafana Bes’thende out and had their first small opening on 18 minutes after Peter Shalulile latched onto a low cross by Khuliso Mudau but his close-range effort was dealt with by goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.
The visitors kept Sundowns quiet in the last third but Shalulile had another chance to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark after a cross by Themba Zwane but his toe-poked his volley wide at the near post.
The game opened up towards the end of the first stanza as Arrows were caught high up the pitch, as Gumede conceded a penalty by bringing down Shalulile, stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick.
The Namibian has now taken his tally to six goals in the league this season, as he hunts down another Golden Boot this campaign.
Abafana Bes’thende had a good response early in the second stanza as Pule Mmodi restored parity with a diagonal ball across that evaded goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and found the far bottom corner.
Sundowns increased the intensity of their attacks and regained their lead on the hour-mark after a ricochet from a cross by Zwane was deflected into an own goal by Nelson Ndlovu.
Masandawana had already line-up a triple change, as Teboho Mokoena, Erwin Saavedra and Neo Maema were introduced to keep Arrows on their toes.
However, Vusimuzi Vilakazi and Mabhuti Khenyeza’s charges were up for a challenge as they came close to an equaliser 18 minutes before time after Velemseni Ndwandwe’s free-kick flashed just wide of the top corner.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes as Ryan Moon came close to levelling matters with a header in a crowded area in the box that missed wide after a cross by Knox Mutizwa, but the defending champions were able to hold out and reclaim top spot.
Source: Soccer Laduma
