Golden Arrows ease past Orbit College to reach Nedbank Cup round of 16

Lamontville Golden Arrows secured their spot in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 at the second time of asking, overcoming Orbit College 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. The rescheduled clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium was settled by the extra attacking firepower Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi drafted into his squad.

Lightning had brought a premature end to the original fixture at half-time on Saturday night, with Arrows leading 1-0 thanks to a Lungelo Nguse penalty.

Mngqithi made three changes to the Abafana Bes’thende side for the 'restart' in a hot, humid and breezy uMlazi. In-form goalscorer Junior Dion and Angelo van Rooi replaced Nguse and Philani Khumalo in the starting line-up, and both made an immediate impact. 

Striker Van Rooi finished off a brilliant cross from Siyanda Ndlovu with a half-volley in the 24th minute, following some slick build-up play from the back.

Dion nearly doubled the lead five minutes later, but his header from a corner was well saved by Sabelo Nkomo, who had also denied Ndlovu moments earlier. However, Dion was not to be denied in the 33rd minute; he broke down the right and rounded the onrushing keeper to slot home.

Abafana Bes’thende remained firmly in control and were perhaps unlucky to only be 2-0 up at the break.

Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye faced a daunting task to revitalise his visibly tiring Mswenko Boys for the second half, having failed to truly test Thakasani Mbanjwa in the opening 45 minutes.

A desperate double save in the 55th minute – including a goal-line clearance from Ramahlwe Mphahlele – kept Orbit College in the contest. However, the pressure remained relentless.

Ayanda Maxwele put further gloss on the scoreline for Abafana Bes’thende in the 79th minute – the 3-0 winning margin the same as in their last league encounter.

SCOREBOARD | Nedbank Cup: Golden Arrows v Orbit College

GOLDEN ARROWS (2) 3

Van Rooyen 24; Dion 33; Maxwele 79

ORBIT COLLEGE 0