Mamelodi Sundowns edge past Golden Arrows to reclaim league lead

Mamelodi Sundowns scored three minutes from time to beat Golden Arrows 2-1 at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday and move three points clear at the top of the league table.

Teboho Mokoena struck late in the second half to settle a match that appeared to be heading for a draw, securing all three points for Sundowns and sending them to the summit.

The result was especially important because Sundowns knew victory would open up a three-point advantage over Orlando Pirates, who were involved in a CAF Champions League first preliminary round match on Sunday afternoon.

The two teams had met at the same venue seven days earlier in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinals. For the league meeting, both coaches selected the same starting line-ups they had used in that previous encounter.

Sundowns made the stronger start, with Golden Arrows choosing to defend deep and look for opportunities on the counter-attack. That approach was punished in the 14th minute when Sundowns took the lead following sustained early pressure.

Siyanda Ndlovu opened his account against his former club with a composed finish from inside the penalty area. Arrows’ defence was exposed by poor positioning, allowing Ndlovu to take advantage and put the visitors in front.

Golden Arrows found it difficult to build attacking momentum during the opening stages as Sundowns controlled possession and territory. Although Abafana Bes’thende created a small number of opportunities towards the end of the first half, they were unable to convert them.

Sundowns therefore went into the interval with a narrow advantage.

Arrows improved after the restart and began to put the league leaders under sustained pressure in search of an equaliser. Their persistence eventually produced a reward with 15 minutes remaining.

Junior Dion restored parity after being found by Thokozani Khumalo, making the score 1-1 and giving Arrows renewed confidence. The home side then had chances to go ahead as momentum shifted in their favour, but a lack of composure and poor decisions in the final third denied them the opportunity to complete the turnaround.

Those missed chances proved costly.

With only three minutes of normal time remaining, Mokoena put Sundowns back in front with a spectacular effort from just outside the penalty area. He was given room to shoot and took full advantage, sending the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

The goal completed a late turnaround in the balance of the match and proved enough to earn Sundowns the victory.

A few minutes before kick-off, Sundowns also announced the signing of Deano van Rooyen on a free transfer. The 29-year-old left Orlando Pirates last month after the two parties agreed to end their relationship by mutual consent.

Van Rooyen has now joined Sundowns, also known as Masandawana and the Brazilians.