DStv Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 3-0 TS Galaxy
Date: 19 May 2021
Venue: Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Golden Arrows snapped a four-game winless run with an impressive 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Wednesday afternoon.
Arrowsrecalled Seth Parusnath, Nduduzo Sibiya, Velemseni Ndwandwe and Pule Mmodi while Galaxy made wholesale changes, with only Mlungisi Mbunjana, MacBeth Mahlangu, Spiwe Msimango and Ethan Brooks retaining their places.
The hosts had a perfect start after Michael Gumede gave them the lead in the seventh minute with a first-time side-footed finish from Divine Lunga's cross.
With Abafana Bes'thende keeping the Rockets inside their own half, Mmodi eventually doubled their lead in the 32nd minute with a spectacular volley from outside the box that arrowed into the top corner.
After a poor first-half showing, Owen Da Gama reacted by making a double change at half-time, as Mxolisi Macuphu replaced Khayelihle Shozi while Bathusi Aubaas came on for Mbunjana.
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The changes had an immediate impact, as Macuphu came very close to pulling a goal back six minutes later with a close-range header that was acrobatically parried over the bar by shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana.
However, Ntsako Makhubela took the game away from the Rockets on the hour-mark after making it 3-0 for Abafana Bes'thende with a stunning diving header inside the box.
Da Gama's troops still had some fight in them as Tshegofatso Nyama had a chance to pull a goal back in the last 12 minutes with a volley unmarked inside the box but Mlungwana made another acrobatic save.
Arrows had to complete the dying minutes with ten men after Sibiya was sent off for picking up his second yellow card, but they were already home and dry, as they increased their chances of finishing in the continental spot.
Here's how they started:
Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 29, Sibisi, 3. Lunga, 31. Zuke, 28. M.Dube, 6. Parusnath, 12. Ndwandwe, 13. Mmodi, 4. Makhubela, 11. Sibiya, 33. M.Gumede.
Subs: 32. N.Gumede, 7. Mtshali, 37. Ndlovu, 18. Mutizwa, 26. Phiri, 17. Conco, 20. Mathiane, 6. Sabelo.
Galaxy: 16. Heugh, 37. Fransman, 4. M.Mahlangu, 5. Msimango, 12. Ndlovu, 6. Mbunjana, 18. Brooks, 28. Phohlongo, 23. Munyai, 19. Lekay, 13. Shozi
Subs: 1. Van der Linde, 3. Seedat, 27. S.Mahlangu, 15. Aubaas, 35. Mbatha, 29. Macuphu, 11. Nyama, Shelembe.
