Golden Arrows claimed a 3-2 win over Polokwane City in an exciting DStv Premiership clash played at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Abafana Bes’thende secured a second victory of the new league season thanks to goals from Nduduzo Sibiya, Lungelo Nguse and Themba Mantshiyane, with the three points pushing them up to fourth place on the log.
As for Rise and Shine, who netted via Douglas Mapfumo and Lebohang Nkaki, this second defeat of the season drops them to sixth place.
Polokwane claimed the lead in the 12th minute through Douglas Mapfumo, who showed great technique to control a long pass from Tholo Matuludi, before stabbing home a volley under pressure from two Arrows defenders.
The hosts responded swiftly, with Nduduzo Sibiya capitalising on a fumble from City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula and driving home a low shot to make it 1-1 in the 13th minute.
And by the midway point of the first half, Arrows had claimed the lead: Angelo Van Rooi powered down the right flank before providing a cut-back to find Lungelo Nguse, who finished crisply with his left foot for 2-1.
The visitors were close to drawing level just after the half-hour mark when Given Mashikinya got away a snap shot from just outside the penalty area, but the ball flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
Abafana Bes’thende added to their advantage in the 39th minute, with Sibiya’s corner kick delivery glanced into the back of the net by the head of defender Themba Mantshiyane to see the home side 3-1 up at halftime.
Rise and Shine made a triple change at the start of the second half, with Stevens Goovadia, Langelihle Ndlovu and Nyakala Raphadu introduced off the bench.
The visitors found a new gear in attack and duly pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute via Lebohang Nkaki, who capitalised on a rebound from Arrows goalkeeper Ismail Watenga and scored from close range to make it 3-2.
Arrows, in an effort to get their attacking dominance back, sent on Olwethu Ncube, Sazi Gumbi, Siyanda Mthanti and Knox Mutizwa between the hour mark and midway point of the second half.
Polokwane looked the more dangerous of the two teams whenever they managed to get forward, but they were unable to force an equaliser late in the game, with the hosts – thanks to a couple of key interventions from Watenga – holding out for a hard-earned win.
The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action this coming midweek, with Arrows away to SuperSport United on Tuesday 29 August and Polokwane at home to Mamelodi Sundowns the following day.