Gumede fires Arrows to victory in Clermont

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Aug 04, 2019. 18:12

Lamontville Golden Arrows beat Maritzburg United 1-0 on the opening weekend of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Sunday.

Michael Gumede scored the only goal of the game as Arrows claimed a third successive win over their provincial rivals.

Following a cagey first half, Abafana Bes’thende hit the front within the first minute of the second as Gumede ran onto a through ball before lobbing the onrushing Richard Ofori in the Maritzburg goal.

The Team of Choice went in immediate search of the equaliser and hit the post through Deolin Mekoa in the 72nd minute. Gabriel Nyoni then saw his attempt cleared off the line as Maritzburg continued to push forward in search of a point.

Arrows, though, would hold on for the win as they got their campaign off to the perfect start, while Maritzburg failed to build on the momentum that steered them to safety last season.

Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Gumede 46′)

Maritzburg United (0) 0

Golden Arrows: Sibanda; Lunga, Mathiane, Bilankulu, S.Dube, Mtshali (Phiri 80′), Venter, Shitolo, Makhubela, Sabelo (Mutizwa 61′), Gumede (Lamola 76′).

Maritzburg United: Ofori; Xulu, Allie, Ntshangase (Mekoa 73′), De Reuck (Hlongwane 60′), Kunene, Timm, Claasen, Moseamedi, Nyoni (Buchanan 83′), Shandu.