There were victories for Sekhukhune United and Cape Town City in the DStv Premiership on Sunday, as they beat Baroka and Golden Arrows respectively.
Sekhukhune United 4-0 Baroka
Sekhukhune United got back to winning ways with a convincing 4-0 victory over Baroka at Ellis Park Stadium on Sunday evening.
It was their first victory in seven games, and a much needed result for Macdonald Makhubedu
It took just three minutes for the home team to take the lead as Yusuf Maart set up Justin Shonga to score on debut. Maart’s initial effort was saved by Elvis Chipezeze, before Maart regathered and crossed to the Zambian international.
Sekhukhune looked to add to their tally and Chibuike Ohizu went narrowly wide with a header in the 23rd minute. However the Nigerian was not to be denied, and a minute later he scored a great individual effort, as he controlled at the edge of the box, before beating his defender, dribbling inside and unleashing a top finish.
Baroka tried to get back into the game and Richard Mbulu had two good chance just before half-time, but his headers went over, and at the break it remained 2-0
The game was stopped five minutes into the second half, as there was a problem with the floodlights, but the match resumed within ten minutes.
Shonga went wide in the 62nd minute, but Ohizu had his second in the 68th minute in bizarre circumstances. Chipizeze came out to make a save but his clearance ricocheted off Vusi Sibiya and back towards goal, and Ohizu was able to tap in.
Athenkhosi Dlala tried from range in the 74th minute, but Toaster Nsabata saved comfortably. Five minutes later Mbulu’s header hit the woodwork.
However it was Sekhukhune who would score again, Vusimuzi Mncube finishing off a counter attack in the 80th minute eleven seconds after Mbulu’s attempt struck the crossbar.
It could have been five in the 88th minute, but substitute Prince Nxumalo’s effort hit the upright.
But a convincing result that sees Baroka remain bottom, while Sekhukhune move into sixth spot.
Golden Arrows 0-1 Cape Town City
City’s new Venezuelan signing Darwin Gonzalez forced a save out of Nkosi Gumede with a good shot in the 14th minute.Ntsikelelo Nxadi’s effort in the 20th minute was deflected behind, as was Craig Martin’s header a minute later at the other end.
After a period of pressure, City had another good chance in the 33rd minute, but neither Mo May or Craig Martin were able to get to the end of Gonzalez’s inviting cross. May’s improvised effort three minutes went over the goal.
Thato Mokeke’s effort in the 40th minute went just wide, as did May’s bicycle kick two minutes later. And while City dominated, it remained goalless at the break.
May’s diving header went narrowly wide two minutes into the second half, after a good ball into the box from Mdu Mdantsane.
A professional foul by Thabani Zuke denied the impressive Gonzalez a one-on-one with the keeper in the 75th minute. Zuke however only received a yellow card. Arrows almost hit City on the counter a minute later but Nduduzo Sibiya missed the opportunity and shot wide.
But City were finally in front in the 78th minute when substitute Khanyisa Mayo scored from a free kick, his left-footed shot beating a diving Gumede.
Mdantsane’s effort in the 88th minute was comfortably saved by Gumede, and City were able to manage the final few minutes for the three points, Mayo missing a chance for a second in stoppage time.
City moved into the top eight temporarily, but Sekhukhune’s victory saw them drop to ninth.
