Siwelele FC enjoyed a winning start to the Betway Premiership following a 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows on Saturday evening.
Buhle Mkhwanazi and Relebohile Mokhuoane were included in the Siwelele line-up, while Ivorian defender Oumar Camara earned his first outing for Arrows.
The hosts hit the ground running midway in the first half as Siviwe Magidigidi pounced on a rebound from goalkeeper Edward Maova and slammed into the roof of the net.
Vincent Pule doubled the lead a minute later when he intercepted a stray pass before rounding Maova to finish from a tight angle.
Abafana Besthende continued to battle against the host and nearly conceded again through a curling shot by Christian Saile, but Maova parried into touch.
There were promising moments for the away outfit ahead of the interval with Nhlanhla Zwane, Siyanda Mthanti, and Thokozani Khumalo, but they were unable to find the net.
Arrows unleashed a triple substitution ahead of the second half, as new man Jerome Karelse, Sbonelo Cele and Nqubeko Dlamini were introduced.
The changes brought a sense of inspiration as Keenan Phillips rose high at the back-post to meet a floating delivery and nudged in the far corner of the net to reduce the deficit.
However, Lehlohonolo Seema’s men restored their two-goal cushion in the 56th minute when Magidigidi attacked a corner from Neo Rapoo and headed home.
Siwelele looked to have bagged another goal seven minutes later through a smart strike by Pule, but it was disallowed for offside.
Both teams remained on the attack with time running out, but the home team had done enough to see out the win and started the season on a high.
Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Siwelele: Goss, Mobbie, Mkhwanazi, Moralo, Magidigidi, Pule, Mokhuoane, Saile, Rapoo, Ndebele, Gamphani
Subs: Subs:Mbanjwa, Lakay, Sanoka, Baliti, Makhele, Ayer, Mahlangu, Moloisane
Golden Arrows: Maova ,Jiyane, Phillips , Shitolo , Mantshiyane, Zwane, Komara, T.Khumalo , Mhlongo, Ndlovu, P.Khumalo,
Subs: Ngcobo, Gumbi S.Cele, Mabaso, Karelse, Sibiya, Madonsela, Maxwele, Dlamini
