Sundowns suffer MTN8 setback as Arrows secure first leg advantage

Mamelodi Sundowns’ quest to win a first MTN8 title in five years received a setback when they suffered a 1-0 home loss to Golden Arrows in the semi-final first leg on Sunday.

Sundowns found the going tough at the Lucas Moripe Stadium where everything they tried did not come off while Arrows needed just one chance to finish them off in the first half.

Junior Dion delivered the killer blow in the 37^th minute when he made a clever run into the box to break free from the two Sundowns centre-backs Malibongwe Khoza and Keegan Johannes and slot home.

Clever Junior Dion run sinks Sundowns

Dion quickly made his way past the two defenders to sweep the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Ricardo Goos, making his first start since returning to Sundowns, having received a sweet pass from Khulekani Shezi.

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Sundowns thought they had found the equaliser on the stroke of halftime when Bennet Mokoena unleashed a ferocious shot from the edge of the box but it drew out a great diving save from Arrows second-choice goalkeeper Edward Maova, who had replaced the injured Thakasani Mbanjwa in the 18^th minute.

After the break, it was all Sundowns but they could not open the door. In the 59^th minute, Marcelo Allende found Aubrey Modiba and the left-back took a well-taken effort which went wide.

Golden Arrows pick vital away advantage  

Four minutes later, substitute Sphelele Mkhulise saw his attempt sail over the bar while in the 69^th minute, Maova pulled off perhaps the best save of the game when he kept out a close-range header following a corner.

It nearly turned from bad to worse for Sundowns 18 minutes from time when Nhlanhla Gasa almost bent in a second one for Abafana Bes’thende who then weathered a late storm to pick up a vital away win.

What is more for Arrows, they have an away goal to take to the second leg at home, which puts them in a prime position to advance to the final where either Orlando Pirates, who also won 1-0 away to Sekhukuhune United on Saturday, or Babina Noko await.