by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
Golden Arrows stunned Mamelodi Sundowns with a disciplined 1-0 victory in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane on Sunday afternoon.
Abafana Bes’thende claimed the upset through Sede Junior Dion’s clinical first-half finish, punishing a Sundowns side that controlled large portions of the contest but lacked conviction where it mattered most.
Sundowns began with purpose and should have gone ahead in the 11th minute when Cassius Mailula slipped Lebo Mothiba through on goal. Mothiba looked set to score, but Arrows goalkeeper Edward Maova rushed bravely off his line to make a crucial save at the striker’s feet.
Maova paid the price for his intervention, requiring medical treatment before being replaced by Thakasani Mbanjwa in the 18th minute.
Mothiba soon squandered another opportunity, heading wide from a left-wing delivery, before Arrows offered their first warning midway through the half when Nhlanhla Gasa dragged an effort off target after neat build-up play from Sabelo Sithole.
The visitors then delivered the decisive blow in the 38th minute. Khulekani Shezi unlocked the Sundowns defence with a perfectly weighted pass, and Dion kept his composure to drill a low finish through Ricardo Goss’ legs and put Arrows 1-0 ahead against the run of play.
The Brazilians pushed for a response before the interval, but their clearest late opening came through Bennet Mokoena, whose curling effort from distance was well handled by Mbanjwa in injury time.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso turned to his bench early in the second half, introducing Brayan Leon, Tashreeq Matthews, Sphelele Mkhulise and Nuno Santos within the opening 10 minutes after the restart in an attempt to change the rhythm of the match.
The hosts continued to probe and came close to drawing level in the 70th minute when Kegan Johannes glanced a header on target from a corner. Mbanjwa, however, produced another important save to preserve Arrows’ lead.
Johannes threatened again late in regulation time, but his second header from a corner sailed over the crossbar. Sundowns continued to push through more than four minutes of stoppage time, yet Arrows held firm to secure a result that leaves the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg.
The teams return to Betway Premiership action on Wednesday, 26 August, with Sundowns hosting AmaZulu FC and Arrows welcoming Stellenbosch FC, before the semifinal second leg at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, 30 August.
