NDUDUZO Sibiya of Lamontville Golden Arrows celebrates with marksman Knox Mutziwa as they dispatched Marumo Gallants at Mpumalanga Stadium yesterday. | BackpagePix
Golden Arrows (2) 2
Mutizwa 39’ Sibiya 44’
Marumo Gallants (0) 0
Golden Arrows returned to the top of the Betway Premiership standings after claiming a 2-0 win against Marumo Gallants at the Mpumalanga Stadium yesterday.
Two quickfire first half strikes from Abafana Bes’thende saw them make it two wins in their opening two games.
It’s two losses in a row for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa who dropped to the bottom of the standings.
The home side weathered an early storm before scoring two goals in five minutes towards the end of the first half.
The evergreen Knox Mutizwa showed resilience to steal a ball off a Gallants defender before beating the goalkeeper at the near post to give his side the lead in the 40th minute.
Coach Ernst ‘s decision to appoint Asanele Velebayi as the new Club Captain, is an indication of the trust he has in him as a player and person.
— Cape Town Spurs FC (@CapeTownSpursFC) September 21, 2024
We wish Asanele much success!! @asa_vb_velebayi17 pic.twitter.com/30YsDIjV1L
The green and yellow of Arrows quickly doubled their lead when Nduduzo Sibiya surprisingly scored with a header.
The diminutive winger dodged his marker and headed unmarked past Daniel Akpeyi as Gallants fell asleep at a free kick situation on the stroke of half-time.
The hosts went into their second game of the season in search of continuity as coach Mabhuti Khenyeza fielded the same starting line-up as the one that did the business against Stellenbosch last time out.
Experienced striker Mutizwa led the attacking line and was partnered by new signing Menzi Masuku in the number 10 role.
Although the hosts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, it was Gallants who jotted down the first eventful sequence in the 19th minute.
Centre back Vusi Sibiya wandered into the opponent’s box and got his head on a Lebo Mabotja delivery but his effort cannoned off the upright.
The muddy conditions made the game a hard watch in the opening stanza despite both teams’ desire to play carpet football.
In the 26th minute, it was the turn of right back Keenan Phillips to help Arrows keep the score deadlocked as he cleared a shot off the line.
With Edward Maova off his line, Gallants striker Siyabulela Shai lobbed an effort towards the open goal but the defender was on hand to clear the ball away.
Needing a response in the second stanza, Gallants coach Dan Malesela threw on Thapelo Mogobodi and Daniel Msendami for Xola Mlambo and Thapelo Dhludhlu respectively.
The best chance of the half fell for Siyanda Mthanti in the 78th minute when he rounded the keeper but his effort lacked power and a defender on the line cleared the ball.
Abafana Bes’thende will have an opportunity to make it three wins on the trot when they face promoted Magesi on Tuesday while Gallants travel to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.