Late penalty takes Arrows back to the summit

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Sep 20, 2017. 21:37

Golden Arrows returned to the summit of the Absa Premiership log after a late penalty from Kudakwashe Mahachi handed them a 1-0 win over Platinum Stars on Wednesday.

Abafana Bes’thende are level with Orlando Pirates and Baroka FC at the top of the log, but hold the number one place on goal difference. Their victory at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium completed a hat-trick of league wins in the past week.

Stars started well and had an early chance to claim the lead, with Bongi Ntuli put through on goal in the eighth minute, but the striker took too long to get a shot away and Limbikani Mzava recovered to make a last-ditch tackle.

Arrows had chances of their own in the opening half hour, with Kudakwashe Mahachi and Wayde Jooste both shooting wide, while Lerato Lamola was on target with a 23rd minute effort but saw Mbongeni Mzimela make a comfortable save.

The last chance of the first half arrived in the 40th minute when Robert Ng’ambi was fouled on the edge of the box. Veteran Vuyo Mere looked to shoot direct from the free kick, but his effort flew over the crossbar to leave the game goalless at the break.

Arrows made a double change at the start of the second stanza, introducing Nduduzo Sibiya and Musa Bilankulu in place of Thabo Molefe and Wayde Jooste, and the KwaZulu-Natal side dominated much of the half.

However, the closest either side came to a goal in regulation time was a chance for Stars’ Thabang Sesinyi in the 76th minute. The young midfielder fired a powerful effort which looked destined for the back of the net, but Nkosingiphile Gumede made a superb save.

The match looked destined to end 0-0, but in injury time Arrows’ Mahachi was fouled in the box by Ryan De Jongh and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The Zimbabwean brushed himself off and converted from the spot to secure all three points for his side.

Platinum Stars 0
Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Mahachi 90+3’)

Stars: Mzimela, De Jongh, Mwedihanga, Mlilo, Zulu, Sesinyi, Mere, Mkhabela, Mbatha (Mpeta 72’), Ng’ambi (Monama 88’), Ntuli

Arrows: Gumede, Dube, Mngwengwe, Mzava, Nkombelo, Jooste (Sibiya 46’), Cele, Molefe (Bilankulu 46’), Magubane (Mutizwa 77’), Mahachi, Lamola

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