AmaTuks ease past Arrows

Thabo Mnyamane scored a brace as University of Pretoria stunned Golden Arrows with a battling 4-2 victory. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Thabo Mnyamane scored a brace as University of Pretoria stunned Golden Arrows with a battling 4-2 victory. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Published Mar 1, 2014

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Johannesburg – Thabo Mnyamane scored a brace as University of Pretoria stunned Golden Arrows with a battling 4-2 victory in their Premiership clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday afternoon.

The Tuks forward scored in the 38th and 86th minutes after Bonginkosi Ntuli had opened the scoring for the home side, who also scored a penalty through captain Thanduyise Khuboni that had levelled things up at 2-2 with 12 minutes to play.

Thabo Mosadi and Atusaye Nyondo also scored for the Pretoria side as they won away for the first time this season to climb to 11th on the table with Arrows staying bottom.

The hosts began well with midfielder Manti Maholo forcing visiting goalkeeper Washington Arubi to palm the ball away after a strike on the half-volley from just outside the box.

Tuks finally had a first shot on goal before the 20-minute mark when Raymond Monama managed to shoot first-time from the right side of the box, although it was straight at Arthur Bartman.

There was another opening for Rudolph Bester midway through the half – the on-loan Orlando Pirates midfielder making room on his outside and shooting, but it was comfortable for Arubi even though he spilt the initial strike.

Dangerman Ntuli then powered a shot inches wide of the left upright, before making no such mistake with the goal when he swept in from six yards following clever play and an eventual right-side cross by Bester.

But Tuks hit back not long after as Grant Kekana played a long ball through to Mnyamane, who finished exquisitely with the outside of his left boot leaving Bartman standing.

Mosadi should have then given his side the lead before the break, but struck straight into the advertising boards after getting in between two hesitant Arrows defenders.

Zambian Festus Mbewe took over from Bester at the break and had a glorious chance to make an instant impact. But he wastefully headed Deon Hotto's inviting right-side cross straight at Arubi.

At the other end, Mnyamane wasted an equally fine opening when he could only balloon over Mosadi's cut-back after a quick counter-attack.

Winger Mosadi then put his side in front after springing the off-side trap and rolling the ball into an empty net – keeper Bartman was forced to dash off his line after there was no flag.

But nine minutes later it was level again when Ronald Ketjijere was penalised for a foul in the box and Khuboni buried the spot kick.

However, Tuks retook the lead less than 120 seconds later with another deadly break down the left and Nyondo finished well from the edge of the box against the onrushing Bartman.

And Mnyamane sealed the win when more tired legs failed to step up in time and more confusion between Bartman and the defenders allowed for another simple finish. – Sapa

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