Mokoena Delivers 87th-Minute Heartbreak Against Arrows To Send Sundowns Top Of The Betway Premiership
Teboho Mokoena scored a late winner as Mamelodi Sundowns beat Golden Arrows 2-1 in the Betway Premiership at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Sundowns took an early lead through Siyanda Ndlovu, who scored against his former club before refusing to celebrate. Junior Dion later equalised for Arrows, but Mokoena had the final say when he capitalised on a defensive mistake to secure all three points for the visitors.
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute after Arrows lost possession cheaply. Mokoena was allowed time and space on the edge of the box and curled the ball beyond Thakasani Mbanjwa, who could do little to keep out the well-placed effort.
The result sees Sundowns move to the top of the Betway Premiership standings, one point clear of Orlando Pirates. The Brazilians now have 16 points from six matches, while Pirates drop to second with a game in hand.
Sunday’s encounter was the third meeting between the two sides in the space of three weeks, following their two-legged MTN8 semi-final.
Arrows won the first leg before Sundowns claimed a 3-2 victory in the second leg last weekend. The Brazilians advanced to the final after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, progressing on the away-goals rule.
Sundowns, who suffered a league defeat to Arrows at the same venue in the first round last season, knew a victory in Durban would be enough to send them to the top of the standings.
Before kick-off, Sundowns also confirmed the signing of Deano van Rooyen as emergency cover at right-back following Khuliso Mudau’s injury.
The visitors started brightly and deservedly took the lead after probing the Arrows defence.
Ndlovu met Tashreeq Matthews’ cross at the back post in the 14th minute after the delivery evaded the home side’s defence, allowing him to beat Mbanjwa from close range.
It was Ndlovu’s first goal for Sundowns since joining the club during the off-season. The forward showed respect for his former club by choosing not to celebrate.
Matthews came close to doubling Sundowns’ advantage in the 26th minute when he raced away from his marker, but his finish lacked precision and his shot went wide.
Arrows gradually grew into the contest as the half progressed.
Nhlanhla Zwane, who has been one of their standout performers this season, produced a number of powerful carries from midfield. One such run created an opportunity for Ayabulela Maxwele, whose effort was parried behind for a corner by Ronwen Williams.
From the resulting corner, Dion came close with a header, but Williams again reacted well to punch the ball away from danger, although the effort was not ultimately heading for the target.
Despite falling behind, Arrows looked increasingly dangerous as the first half wore on and went into the break with plenty of encouragement.
The tempo dropped considerably after the restart, with both sides struggling to maintain the intensity of the opening 45 minutes.
Arrows eventually found a way through the Sundowns defence in the 76th minute. Dion, last season’s leading scorer for the club, got on the end of Philani Khumalo’s cross and stretched to steer the ball past Williams at the near post.
The goal continued Dion’s impressive run of form, taking his tally to four goals in his last four matches for Arrows, including three against Sundowns.
However, Sundowns had the final say.
After Arrows failed to clear their lines in the 87th minute, Mokoena found space near the edge of the penalty area and curled a superb effort beyond Mbanjwa, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Iqraam Rayners almost added a third in stoppage time when he connected with a header, but his effort struck the crossbar as Sundowns held on for a crucial victory.
