Sundowns do Arrows the favour of putting them down

THE sun has begun to set on one of the PSL’s favourite underdogs, Golden Arrows, but the Nedbank Cup loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban will either lead to further descent down the pits of league relegation, or spur them to revival.

Abafana Bes’thende fought hard in the first half, but goals by Dove Wome, Lebogang Mokoena, Anthony Laffor and Percy Tau swept their brave effort aside after they went ahead early through Philani Shange’s stunner.

The Brazilians put the wounded team down, like one would an injured horse.

The defeat was a favour and will help the Umlazi club focus on staying in the top flight.

Sundowns continue into the quarterfinals.

Arrows were bold and their fans wish they will take that fighting spirit into the league, where the situation is dire.

But Sundowns are on a path to end a six-year trophy drought and would not let a lowly club stand in their way.

Arrows were bold and their fans wish they will take that fighting spirit into the league

Sundowns left back Mzikayise Mashaba struggled in the Durban humidity, though, and was exposed badly by his opponent, Siyanda Zwane.

Zwane overlapped at will and created the goal that deservedly put Arrows ahead.

His cross evaded all the yellow shirts and in came Shange to whack it, first time, past Wayne Sandilands in the 13th minute.

It was a calm yet brutal finish — one you’re most likely to see from a team fighting for league honours, not one in relegation danger.

Arrows could have gone 2-0 up when the Namibian, Deon Hotto, found Chris Katongo’s head, but with Sandilands again exposed, the Zambian nodded wide.

But he didn’t look too far away from the terrorising striker who left SA in 2007.

It proved a costly miss, though, as three minutes later Wome equalised for Sundowns, beating Nkosingiphile Gumede at his near post after being sent to gallop forward by Anthony Laffor.

Sundowns left the tunnel after half time with a chopping knife, with clear instructions from coach Pitso Mosimane to kill off Arrows’ resistance.

“Cheeseboy” Mokoena heeded the call nine minutes into the second half when he bulleted in a shot from 25m that Gumede, at full stretch, could not stop.

Arrows fell to their knees and Sundowns moved in for the kill.

Laffor sliced past two defenders before poking the ball into the net to take the match beyond Arrows’ reach at 3-1. Substitute Tau’s 90th-minute goal added gloss to the scoreline.