Golden Arrows put themselves in a favourable position to reach the MTN8 final, stunning Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in the first leg of the competition’s semifinals at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon.
Last season’s league Golden Boot winner of 15 goals, Junior Dion, netted the only goal of the match to ensure that Abafana Bes’thende take a crucial away goal into the second leg at home in Durban next Sunday.
The result also meant that Arrows’ 100% clean sheet record remains intact after five games across the league and the MTN8.
With first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams presumably rested and not in the match-day squad, a somewhat of a prodigal in Ricardo Goss started in goals, playing his first game in Sundowns colours since May 2022.
Goss spent the last four years out on loan at SuperSport United, who eventually became known as Siwelele FC after a change of ownership.
Downs recalled Goss from Siwelele before the start of this season to be Williams’ understudy.
Sundowns nearly broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Lebo Mothiba collected a loose ball inside the box but his attempt was brilliantly saved by Arrows goalkeeper Edward Maova, who made himself big and used his leg to thwart danger.
Maova sustained some knee discomfort from that action, forcing him off with Thakasani Mbanjwa replacing him after a six-minute delay.
Sundowns continued to enjoy possession but the next chance of the match fell to Abafana Bes’thende when Sabelo Sithole nearly recreated an “Ankara Messi” moment by taking on Sundowns players from his own half.
Sithole ended up teeing up Nhlanhla Gasa, who saw his shot go off target in the 23rd minute.
Sundowns had several box entries and were a better side but Arrows found the back of the net first when Khulekani Shezi’s well-measured through ball was well read by Dion, who just beat the incoming Goss in the 38th minute.
It was the first and last time in the first half that Goss found himself in action.
Mbanjwa pulled out a neat save to deny Bennett Mokoena in the first stanza’s stoppage time.
In fact, Mbanjwa made a number of crucial saves later in the game as Sundowns threw everything at the visitors.
Downs made two changes at the start of the second half, bringing in Tashreeq Matthews and Brayan Leon for Mokoena and Mothiba, respectively.
Just 10 minutes into the stanza, the Tshwane giants made two more changes, introducing Sphelele Mkhulise and Nuno Santos for Bathusi Aubass and Cassius Mailula. — Sowetan