As the pressure begins to mount on coach Shaun Bartlett, Golden Arrows inflicted Cape Town Spurs’ sixth straight defeat of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign following their 2-1 win over the Mother City outfit at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.
While it appeared that Spurs were on the right track again following Ashley Cupido’s opener in the 16th minute, a brace by second-half substitute Lungelo Nguse saw Arrows record their fourth win in six league matches.
As one of the most in form teams in the league, Arrows showcased their intent early on as Nduduzo Sibiya had the golden opportunity to open the scoring as early as the first minute. However, the attacker’s shot from the centre of the box sailed over the bar.
Abafana Bes’Thende continued to apply pressure during the opening exchanges of the match, as the shots at goal statistics began to increase for the travelling outfit.
The Urban Warriors began seeing more of the ball as the half progressed and applied pressure soon after the 15th minute mark.
Spurs’ pressure paid off in the 16th minute mark as Ashley Cupido opened his account for the 2023/24 campaign. In a favourable position inside the Arrows half, Cupido managed to get on the end of a cross which was played in by Chumani Butsaka.
Both teams created numerous scoring chances after the Urban Warriors took the lead, with the home team edging Arrows to the possession count slightly. Nonetheless, Spurs headed into the break as the happier outfit as a result of Cupido’s effort.
With the second-half commencing, Mabhuti Khenyeza decided to bring on an extra striker in search of an equaliser. While Spurs created a couple of goal scoring opportunities going forward, Abafana Bes’ Thende managed to draw level inside the first 10 minutes of the second 45.
Following a corner situation, Spurs failed to clear the ball from their area as Arrows had a second bite of the cherry at the opposite end of the penalty area. With a dangerous cross played into the area, Lungelo Nguse managed to head home from the centre of the small box.
Spurs bossed the possession count after the hour mark and penned the travelling outfit back in their own half. With Arrows playing under the Cosh, the Urban Warriors actively searched for another goal.
Much like that of Arrows, Spurs made a number of attacking reinforcements as Bartlett signaled his intent on searching for a winner.
However, it was Arrows who took the lead 10 minutes from time with Nguse once again causing damage inside the Spurs box. After another cross from the left-hand flank, Nguse found himself in a favourable position to guide the ball home from close range.
Spurs dominated during the closing stages of the match and produced wave after wave of attacks inside the Arrows half. Nonetheless, Abafana Bes’Thende survived the late onslaught to secure a 2-1 win in Athlone.