Mngqithi’s Arrows hand Sundowns first defeat of the season

Golden Arrows          (1) 1

Dion 30’

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0

Lamnotville Golden Arrows ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ unbeaten run and handed the defending champions their first defeat of the season with a spirited 1-0 victory at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.

The decisive moment came in the 30th minute when off-season arrival Sede Dion rose highest to meet a set piece and powered a header past Ronwen Williams. 

The Ivorian, who previously turned out for AmaZulu, notched his fourth goal of the campaign and gave Arrows a deserved lead against a stunned Sundowns backline.

Sundowns had arrived in Durban brimming with confidence after brushing aside Durban City and aiming to make it back to back wins against KwaZulu-Natal opposition. 

Head coach Miguel Cardoso rolled out a strong XI, with top scorer Iqraam Rayners given a breather after his blistering start to the season.

Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos, signed as Lucas Ribeiro’s replacement, started on the bench in anticipation of a debut.

Arrows, though, showed no fear. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, a former Sundowns mentor and Champions League winner, urged his side to be brave and disrupt the champions’ rhythm. 

His players responded with intensity, matching Sundowns stride for stride in the early exchanges.

The wet Umlazi pitch quickened the game, turning the opening quarter into an end-to-end contest. 

As early as the seventh minute, Arrows nearly struck when they broke wide and got behind the Sundowns defence, only for Williams to intervene. 

Moments later, the Arrows bench was left fuming after Dion was flagged offside incorrectly when clean through on goal.

Dion remained a constant menace. In the 25th minute he nearly broke the deadlock, throwing himself at Ayanda Jiyane’s dangerous low cross but failing to make the decisive connection. 

Five minutes later, he made no mistake — climbing above his markers to bury the opener and send the Umlazi faithful into celebration.

At halftime, Arrows carried their narrow but deserved lead into the changeroom while Cardoso looked for solutions. His response was immediate, throwing on Santos for his debut. 

The Portuguese forward showed glimpses of class with his sharp passing and close control, adding a new dimension to Sundowns’ attack.

The champions improved after the break, dominating possession and pushing Arrows deeper into their own half. 

But for all their territorial control, they struggled to turn pressure into clear chances. 

Arrows, wasteful on the counter at times, nevertheless held firm and frustrated Sundowns with disciplined defending.

As the clock ticked down, Mngqithi’s men stood tall, determined not to let the moment slip. 

The final whistle was met with relief and jubilation as Arrows not only secured three precious points but also proved they can still compete with the league’s best.

For Sundowns, the loss was a setback in their title defence, exposing their vulnerability when deprived of their usual cutting edge. 

They will need a swift response when they face Richards Bay in their third successive clash against KZN opposition. Arrows, meanwhile, will look to build momentum when they host Orbit College in the Nedbank Cup.