Citizens hand Arrows first loss

Cape Town City brought Golden Arrows’ unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership to an end with a 4-2 victory yesterday afternoon.

Jan Olde Riekerink maintained the same starting line-up from the Citizens’ side that got the better of Black Leopards in midweek, while Arrows welcomed back captain Matome Mathiane.

Abafana Besthende lived dangerously following the opening exchanges as a speculative shot near the inside of the area from Thato Mokeke forced Sifiso Mlungwana to palm over the top.

However, it took just 14 minutes for City to find the breakthrough after Craig Martin made a late run into the area to bring down a ball from the right-side before firing home with a low finish.

Arrows were forced into a substitution two minutes before the half-hour mark as Gladwin Shitolo struggled to carry on playing and saw Lindokuhle Mtshali entering.

The Citizens were pegged back ten minutes to halftime when Velemseni Ndwandwe connected with a cutback from the right following a free-kick to rifle into the roof of the net.

Arrows completed the turnaround early in the second half when Knox Mutizwa slotted home from the penalty spot after Taariq Fielies committed a foul in the area.

City opted to refresh their stall in the first ten minutes of the second half, with the introduction of Mpho Makola as recent acquisition Justin Shonga made way.

Fielies, who conceded the penalty, atoned on 62 minutes when he rose high for a corner-kick to send a thumping header past Mlungwana.

The Citizens made it three in the last 15 minutes after a through ball from Mokeke released Mduduzi Mdantsane, who rounded Mlungwana to slot into an empty net.

Arrows’ misery was compounded with six minutes to go after Fagrie Lakay beat Nkosinathi Sibisi to a looping ball to lob over Mlungwana, as the former saw their unbeaten run come to an end. - Kick Off.