Teboho Mokoena’s late winner sends Mamelodi Sundowns top of 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 King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

The African champions looked set to settle for a draw after Junior Dion cancelled out Siyanda Ndlovu’s first goal for Sundowns against his former club. But Mokoena struck in the closing stages to give Miguel Cardoso’s side all three points in KwaZulu-Natal.

The result lifts Sundowns above Orlando Pirates, who were involved in CAF Champions League commitments. Pirates still have a game in hand, but Sundowns now lead an increasingly competitive league race.

The two teams were familiar opponents after Sundowns defeated Golden Arrows over two legs in the MTN8 semi-finals. However, there was little of the early disorder that had featured in those matches as both sides began Sunday’s game carefully.

Golden Arrows created the first significant opening when Dion tested Ronwen Williams from distance. The Sundowns goalkeeper was forced to parry the powerful effort away.

Sundowns gradually established control, using possession to move Arrows around and probe a well-organised defensive line. Their patience was rewarded after 14 minutes when Ndlovu found enough space to punish his former employers and open his account for the club.

The forward chose not to celebrate, showing respect for the side he previously represented.

Sundowns continued to dictate the tempo, while Golden Arrows looked to remain compact and threaten on the counter-attack. Tashreeq Matthews was unable to extend the visitors’ advantage in the 28th minute after Arrows failed to clear the ball properly.

Matthews, who was recently included in new Bafana Bafana manager Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary Afcon qualifying squad for matches later this month, could not take advantage of the opportunity.

Sundowns went into the interval with their narrow lead intact, but Golden Arrows returned with greater intensity after half-time.

The visitors still had chances to add to their advantage. Brayan Leon was given an excellent opportunity after going one-on-one with Thakasani Mbanjwa, but the Arrows goalkeeper stood up well to make an important save.

That intervention proved increasingly valuable as the hosts began to push Sundowns back. Golden Arrows targeted a Sundowns defence that had appeared vulnerable at points during the opening weeks of the campaign and turned their possession into sustained pressure.

Cardoso attempted to change the momentum from the touchline, but Golden Arrows eventually found an equaliser in the 75th minute.

Philani Khumalo supplied the pass and Dion finished the move, getting ahead of Williams to make it 1-1 and bring King Zwelithini Stadium to life.

The momentum had shifted dramatically. Sundowns, who had controlled much of the match, were suddenly at risk of dropping points.

Mokoena, though, produced the decisive moment.

As the game moved towards a draw and Golden Arrows began to believe they could take something from the contest, the Bafana Bafana midfielder unleashed a superb late strike to restore Sundowns’ lead and finally break the hosts’ resistance.

Golden Arrows could not respond with another comeback. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought 2-1 win for Sundowns, who replaced Orlando Pirates at the top of the Premiership standings while the champions’ title challenge continues to gather pace.