Late Teboho Mokoena strike sends Mamelodi Sundowns top of Betway Premiership

Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the top of the Betway Premiership after Teboho Mokoena scored a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

The result leaves Miguel Cardoso’s side three points clear of Orlando Pirates at the summit, after Sundowns appeared set to settle for a draw following Junior Dion’s equaliser for the home team.

Siyanda Ndlovu had given the visitors the lead in the 14th minute, scoring against his former club. The forward did not celebrate the goal out of respect for Golden Arrows.

The match began cautiously, with both teams showing less attacking urgency than in their previous meeting in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final last week. Chances were limited during the opening stages, although Dion tested Ronwen Williams with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area.

Williams reacted well to keep the shot out, parrying the ball away as Golden Arrows looked to make an early breakthrough.

Mamelodi Sundowns gradually took control of possession and patiently worked the ball around the Arrows defence. The home side remained well organised, however, and restricted the visitors to very few clear openings.

Ndlovu eventually broke the deadlock when he finished for his first goal for Sundowns. His decision not to celebrate reflected his previous connection with Golden Arrows.

The Tshwane club continued to dominate the ball after taking the lead, while Arrows looked to threaten on the counter-attack. Sundowns had an opportunity to extend their advantage in the 28th minute when Golden Arrows failed to clear their lines, but Tashreeq Matthews missed a good chance.

Sundowns went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Golden Arrows returned for the second half with greater attacking intent and created an important opportunity to turn the match around. Brayan Leon found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa, but the Sundowns shot-stopper made a crucial save to deny him.

The visitors’ defence displayed some vulnerability as the second half progressed, continuing a pattern seen in earlier matches in which Sundowns had conceded several goals. Golden Arrows produced a sustained spell of pressure and forced the African champions to defend deep in their own half.

Cardoso responded by making a couple of changes as Sundowns attempted to regain momentum. The changes helped the visitors improve, but Golden Arrows eventually found their equaliser through Dion.

Philani Khumalo supplied the pass for Dion, who took the opportunity to make it 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

The home side’s hopes of earning a point were ended late on when Mokoena produced a superb strike to restore Sundowns’ lead. His effort delivered all three points to the visitors and ensured Cardoso’s team climbed to the summit of the league standings.

Golden Arrows had worked hard to recover from Ndlovu’s early goal, but Mokoena’s moment of brilliance settled a contest in which Sundowns had controlled much of the possession before being pushed back by the hosts in the second half.