Stars end Arrows unbeaten run

Cape Town - Golden Arrows’ unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership was brought to an end as they were defeated 1-0 at the Princess Magogo Stadium by Platinum Stars on Wednesday night.

Dikwena goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela was the decisive figure in the match, saving and scoring from the penalty spot in the second half to see the visitors win and Abafana Bes’thende lose – both for the first time since the opening round of the season.

Stars created some good early chances to take the lead, with Henrico Botes shooting wide in the sixth minute, before Luvolwethu Mpeta had a shot on target from a free kick and forced Max Mbaeva into a fine save.

Arrows shuffled their pack just past the midway point of the first half when they introduced attacker Kudawashe Mahachi in place of Vuyani Ntanga, and the substitute didn’t take long to make an impact as he set up Musa Bilankulu for a shot wide of target.

Bilankulu had the last effort at goal in the first half following a corner kick from Wayde Jooste, but Mbongeni Mzimela punched his effort clear to ensure the teams went into the break with the match locked at 0-0.

The teams exchanged chances early in the second half, but Arrows were rocked when they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi. The former Bafana Bafana picked up yellow cards in the 47^th and 54^th minutes to earn his expulsion.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Abafana Bes’thende won themselves a penalty just after the hour mark when Stars defender Siphiwe Mnguni handled the ball in the 18-yard area. Clifton Miheso took on the responsibility of the spot kick, but saw his effort well saved by Mzimela.

The Dikwena goalkeeper then went from penalty stopper to penalty scorer, converting from the spot at the other end of the field in the 69^th minute to put the visitors 1-0 up, with Mbaeva having brought down Ndumiso Mabena to concede the spot kick.

Mzimela continued to be in the middle of the action, making two fine saves in the 76^th and 79^th minutes to deny Sandile Dlamini and Jooste respectively as 10-man Arrows sought a way back into the contest.

But any hope Arrows had of achieving that goal went up in smoke when they had another man sent off in the dying minutes – Nkanyiso Mngwengwe was shown