Betway Premiership: Golden Arrows beat Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune see off Magesi

Arrows shoot down Stellies in Cape Town

Golden Arrows started their Betway Premiership campaign with a workmanlike 2-0 victory against Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Both goals came in the second half with Siyanda Mthanti giving the visitors the lead with 20 minutes of the contest remaining before Lungelo Nguse converted a penalty in stoppage-time to wrap up the three points.

Both teams initially struggled to contend with the cold and blustery conditions, players slipping on the wet surface and plenty of passes going astray.

Stellies had the best goal-scoring opportunity in the first half but forward Ashley Cupido was denied by a fine save from Arrows goalkeeper Edward Maova.

The KZN-based team grew into the contest and, with the wind at their backs in the second half, took the lead in the 70th minute when Mthanti picked up the ball on the left-hand side and ghosted through a static home defence before applying a neat finish.

Arrows defended well to hold onto their lead and were rewarded in injury-time when they were given penalty when Stellenbosch defender Ismael Toure was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

Nguse, who started the game on the bench and came on after an hour, sent home keeper Sage Stephens the wrong way to give Arrows a winning start to their league campaign.

Sekhukhune see off promoted Magesi at Peter Mokaba Stadium

Sekhukhune United kicked off their 2024-25 Betway Premiership season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Magesi FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

In a fiercely contested Limpopo derby, the hosts secured the win thanks to a debut goal from DR Congo forward Andy Boyeli, who struck late in the first half, leaving Dikwena tsa Meetse to reflect on a disappointing start to their top-flight campaign.

Sekhukhune dominated the first half, controlling possession but struggling to convert their chances. It wasn't until the 43rd minute that they truly threatened, with Keletso Makgalwa missing a golden opportunity when his shot was easily gathered by Magesi goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle.

Just a minute later, however, the breakthrough came. Vusumuzi Mncube delivered a precise low cross from the right, which Boyeli met with a powerful finish, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Almost doubling their lead just before halftime, Sekhukhune's Thabang Monare unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box, only to see it crash off the woodwork.

The second half saw Sekhukhune seeking a second goal but failing to capitalize on several opportunities. Magesi, sensing an opening, nearly equalized in the 53rd minute when Kgaogelo Sekgota's cross found Samuel Darpoh, whose shot soared over the bar.

As the match progressed, Sekhukhune continued to create chances, but their inability to extend the lead made for a tense finish. Magesi pressed forward in a determined effort to equalize, but their attempts ultimately fell short.

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