Sundowns class prevails against brave Arrows

MAMELODI Sundowns won a second away game of the season but had to struggle to break down a resilient Lamontville Golden Arrows before a 1-0 triumph in Umlazi yesterday.

A thumping 59th-minute shot from the edge of the area by left-footed Togo international Dove Wome earned the three points.

Goalkeeper Siya Mngoma denied Sundowns a bigger victory margin, notably in the second half when he stopped Wome’s shot shortly after the break and then a Bongani Zungu effort by coming quickly off his line.

Arrows had little to offer except defensive organisation and an occasional threat on the counter attack, particularly in the first half from Philani Shange on the right.

He skinned the Sundowns defence several times but his final pass let him down.

In the second half Shange went to sleep and so did Arrows’ chance of scoring, particularly when Bonganii Ntuli was inexplicably taken off by coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Sundowns passed with aplomb and used their wide players well but battled to break down the home defence.

We are still a cocktail. We still need to settle but with the pressure there is no time

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane afterwards put it down to still settling after all the preseason signings.

“We are still a cocktail. We still need to settle but with the pressure to succeed there is no time to do so.”

But there is enough quality to suggest Sundowns could be swigging champagne come the end of the season. Their quality always had to tell.

Platinum Stars joined the championship chasing bunch as they recorded their first win of the season, 2-1 over Polokwane City at Royal Bafokeng Stadium yesterday, writes Kgomotso Sethusha.

Barely raising a sweat, Dikwena once again showed their teeth and their intention with a performance that echoed their heroic displays of last season.

Even though the score may suggest City were in the game, this was no close encounter.

But the home supporters endured nervous moments towards the end, after City pulled one back through Essau Kanyenda in the 88th minute.

The ever-improving Siphelele Mthembu had put Dikwena in the lead when he rammed home on the stroke of half time at his second attempt.

And the evergreen Robert Ng’ambi tapped in the second to stretch Stars’ lead which looked just about sufficient to seal another positive result for the home side.

But Allan Freese’s men nearly made it difficult for themselves, giving the rookies City a glimmer of hope as they failed to bury them.