GOLDEN ARROWS VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS | ABSA

Competition: PSL
Date: Saturday, 07 November 2009
Venue: Chatsworth
Kick-off: 15:30

Golden Arrows secured only their third win of the Absa Premiership season, thanks to a slender 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in Chatsworth on Saturday.

Abafana Bes’thende were immediately on the attack and within the opening three minutes Richard Henyekane nearly got on the end of a back post cross and then had a dipping 20-yard drive saved by the Downs keeper Brian Baloyi.

Sundowns, however, had several good chances to score in the first half, the first arriving in the 15th minute when a strong run from Katelgo Mphela ended with an angled shot flashing across the goal-mouth and just wide of the upright.

It was Arrows though who drew first blood, scoring in the 26th minute through a near post effort from Musa Bilankulu, who powered home a header after Vusimusi Vilakazi’s surging run had earned the home side a corner kick.

Ten minutes before the break Mphela had another fine chance to level matters when he burst through on goal, but he took too many touches and Arrows keeper Thulasizwe Khuzwayo was able to come off his line and make an excellent save.

Early moments in the second half saw former Arrows striker Mabuthi Khenyeza dragging a shot from right in front of goal wide of the target, while at the other end of the field Nhlanhla Zothwane did likewise for the home team.

The game remained open with action at both ends of the field, which saw both goal keepers having to make crucial saves from balls swung into the box.

Zothwane then nearly provided a moment of magic in the 67th minute when he weaved through the defence, but just could not get his shot away and the move fizzled out.

The sucker punch should have come from the home side with 15 minutes to go, after Henyekane had beautifully laid the ball into the path of Njabulo Manqanya, but his shot lacked in accuracy.

Sundowns skipper Esrom Nyandoro then appeared set to level the game in the 77th minute, but Khuzwayo made a fantastic save.

The Brazilians pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing moments of the game, causing Arrows some anxious moments at the back, but the KZN side were able to hold on for a crucial victory.

Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Bilankulu 26’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0

Arrows: (4-4-2) Khuzwayo; Zwane, Sangweni, Musonda, Tom; Manqanya (Mabuya 76’), Bilankulu, Zothwane, Vilakazi (Khuboni 71’); Mkhize (Shange 56’), Henyekane

Sundowns: (4-4-2) Baloyi; Mungomeni, Xulu, Spencer, Mdledle; Pelembe, Nyandoro, Pattison (Katongo 63’), Mokoena (Vilakazi 56’); Khenyeza, Mphela