New Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi is expected to be in the technical area for Wednesday night's Beteay Premiership clash against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Image: Backpagepix
Magesi FC (1) 1
Mokone 28’
Golden Arrows (0) 0
Manqoba Mngqithi suffered his first loss as Golden Arrows head coach as his side suffered a 1-0 loss to Magesi FC at the Seshego Stadium on Saturday.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse boosted their hopes of surviving relegation by completing the league double over Abafana Besthende in Polokwane.
Arrows could not move into the top eight and finished the game in ninth but Magesi’s third win in the last four games sees them move into tenth spot on the Betway Premiership standings.
Following a slow start to the game that saw Arrows control a huge chunk of ball possession, the home side snatched the league via a set-piece in the 27th minute.
Centre back Lehlohonolo Mokone benefitted off fine anticipation by his name-sake John Mokone who ghosted into the far post and headed a free-kick delivery across goal.
Mokone then found an open goal in front of him with goalkeeper Ismail Watenga nowhere to be seen and he nodded home for his first ever top flight goal.
Abafana Besthende coach Mngqithi took his unbeaten record to the home of relegation strugglers Magesi and arrived with confidence having dispatched Polokwane City time up.
Despite the form of the two teams and respective placing on the log, It was no surprise that Dikwena Tsa Meetse had a half time lead on home territory.
What would’ve been very frustrating for the visitors though would have been their inability to turn their 66% ball possession to something of substance on the scoreboard after 45 minutes.
As expected Arrows emerged from the tunnel ready to get themselves back into the game and were unlucky to get on the wrong side of a refereeing call in the 56th minute.
Referee on the day, Akhona Makalima completely missed a crucial tap on the heels of Arrows striker Knox Mutizwa in the box and waved the game one, much to the annoyance of the visiting bench.
The experienced Owen Da Gama on the Magesi saw a need to add fresh legs on the field as Arrows piled on the pressure.
Magesi introduced the attacking duo of Mncedisi Vandala and Thabang Sibanyoni in the places of Tlou Masegela as well as Bafedile Baloyi with hopes of establishing an attacking threat of their own.
Arrows rang changes of their own as the second half winded down and their best chance of the half fell at the feet of Sibusio Sibeko in the 84th minute.
Following fine work on the edge of the box the ball was fed to him in the box but a brief moment of hesitation allowed Magesi defender Delano Abrahams time to recover and put in a last ditch tackle of high quality.
The league will go on a brief hiatus after this weekend’s encounter with the international break taking centre stage.
On the return on the 30th of March Arrows will welcome Kaizer Chiefs to Hammarsdale with hopes of completing a league double over the Soweto giants.
Meanwhile Magesi will continue their relegation fight with a tough test at home against Stellenbosch on the 29th.