Arrows triumph over Citizens in a dramatic encounter

Herman Gibbs

Golden Arrows (2) 3

Mantshiyane 9, Moon 15, Dlamini 74

Cape Town City (0) 2

Amato 54, Soukouna 64

Set-piece plays laid the foundation for victorious Golden Arrows in their victory over Cape Town City in a Betway Premiership clash at the Mpumalanga Stadium, Hammarsdale, yesterday afternoon.

Two of Arrows' three goals were scored after Citizens failed to deal with corner kicks, and this proved to be a nightmare for the visitors. This win means that an unfancied Arrows side has now scored back-to-back wins after their dramatic midweek victory with the same scoreline against Royal AM.

The outcome allows Arrows to move into fifth place in the standings, while City are in 11th.

Sloppy defending cost City dearly at the start because, after only 15 minutes of first-half play, Arrows ran up a 2-0 lead after their defence failed to clear adequately when their goal was threatened. Their hesitancy to act allowed Arrows to pounce, with Themba Mantshiyane and Ryan Moon scoring goals in the space of six minutes.

City wrested the initiative for the greater part of the first half thereafter and frequently committed greater numbers forward without creating real scoring chances. Arrows, meanwhile, were forced to rely on counterattacks but could not make it count. Nevertheless, they enjoyed their healthy lead at half-time.

Nine minutes into the second half, City turned the match on its head with a two-goal burst. Midfielders Gabriel Amato – in the 54th minute – and substitute and former French junior international striker Amadou Soukouna 10 minutes later, both scored.

As the second half wore on, City continued to dominate but failed to capitalise on their good fortunes. Instead, Arrows regained the lead through substitute Nqobeko Dlamini, who joined the fray on the hour mark. He made his presence count 16 minutes later with what turned out to be the match-winning goal (3-2).

Arrows will enjoy a 10-day break, allowing coach Mabhuti Khenyeza time to prepare his charges for their next league encounter on December 10 against Orlando Pirates, who suffered their first league defeat of the season against 1-0 victors Stellenbosch FC in Orlando.

City, meanwhile, will go head-to-head against Sekhukhune United on Saturday at the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa.