Golden Arrows defeated SuperSport United 2-1 in a DStv Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday afternoon, doing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns a big favour.

Abafana Bes’thende claimed the victory on the back of first-half strikes from Nduduzo Sibiya and Knox Mutizwa, allowing them to bounce back to winning ways (after a loss to Kaizer Chiefs in their last outing on New Year’s Eve) and move up to sixth place on the log.

As for Matsatsantsa, the defeat broke a six-game unbeaten run, though they remained second on the log. The Tshwane side missed out on the chance to cut Sundowns’ advantage at the head of the table – the champions are a full 10 points clear at the half-way point of the season.

Arrows put together the first genuinely incisive attack of the match in the 10th minute, but Ntsako Makhubela’s strike from the edge of the box travelled straight into the gloves of United goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

Seven minutes later the hosts earned a debatable penalty, with Knox Mutizwa’s shot in the aftermath of a short corner kick routine striking the arm of Siyabonga Nhlapo – though the SuperSport defender had his hand in a natural position and the strike was at such a close proximity as to make the decision a very harsh one.

Nduduzo Sibiya saw his initial effort from the spot kick saved by Goss, though he showed good composure to control the rebound and steer home a second attempt for 1-0 in the 19th minute.

Arrows should have doubled their lead on 29 minutes when Goss fumbled a cross into the danger area and the ball fell perfectly for Nqobeko Dlamini, but the midfielder sliced a volley over the target.

Yet Abafana Bes’thende kept up their attacking pressure and made it 2-0 in the 41st minute: Mutizwa raced onto a fine long ball out of Arrows’ half from Lungelo Dube, cut inside from the left flank and was able to steer a shot under the hands of Goss to find the bottom corner of the net for his first league goal of the season.

SuperSport thought they had pulled a goal back in the final minute of regulation time before the break when Bradley Grobler tapped home a cross from the left, but the flag ruled him offside.

However, television replays showed the striker was comfortably onside and the goal should have been allowed.

Matsatsantsa made a double change at the start of the second half, with Jamie Webber and Thabang Sibanyoni replacing Ghampani Lungu and Thapelo Maseko.

The visitors had far more impetus and aggression in attack, though chances were hard to come by.

One such example arrived midway through the second half when Sibanyoni chested down a ball for Grobler to strike, but the latter’s volley swerved high and wide of the target.

Yet Matsatsantsa did finally claim a goal on 85 minutes, with Grant Margeman’s perfectly-weighted cross from the right allowing Sibanyoni to arrive at the far post and head his team back into the game at 1-2.

The side in blue pushed for an equaliser in what remained of the match, but the hosts were able to hold out and secure a valuable victory.

The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action in the next full round of fixtures, with Arrows away to Orlando Pirates on Saturday, 14 January and SuperSport visiting Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday, 16 January.

Golden Arrows (2) 2 (Sibiya 19’, Mutizwa 41’)
SuperSport United (0) 1 (Sibanyoni 85’)

Arrows: Mlungwana, Hlatshwayo, Ndlovu, Nxadi, Lunga, Dlamini, Makhubela (Moon 76’), Dube (Shitolo 83’), Mmodi (Mantshiyane 66’), Sibiya, Mutizwa (Magawana 76’)

SuperSport: Goss, Johannes (Rapoo 86’), Fleurs, Nhlapo, Bhasera, Lungu (Webber 46’), Margeman, Ndlovu, Maswanganyi (Rayners 71’), Maseko (Sibanyoni 46’), Grobler (Gabuza 71’)

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