Matanda Golden Arrows booked a place in the last 16 stage of the Vhembe Mayoral Cup Tournament by beating Lombard Power Rangers 2-0 at a packed Tshifulanani Stadium on Saturday.

The score was not a true reflection of the game, as Rangers dominated the proceedings from the onset to the end. They squandered numerous scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes. Origin Baloyi beat the offside trap and fumbled at the goal finish, with the Arrows’ keeper already beaten. As if that was not enough to irritate the team’s fans, Nelson Mkhatzani committed a similar blunder in the  ninth minute. He received a pre-cooked pass and unleashed aimlessly from the goal mouth.

Golden Arrows spent the first half studying their opponents and started to play attacking football in the last stanza.

The striker of Rangers, Nelson Mkatzani, was cautioned with a card for a continued argument with the referee.

Things turned against Rangers when their defender, Dennis Sithole, handled the ball within the box. The referee, Mr LV Maraga, awarded Arrows a penalty. The players of Rangers were not happy with the referee’s decision. They confronted him angrily.

Rangers later succumbed and the game continued as if nothing had happened. Golden Arrows increased the tally in the 78th minute. Rollet Phupheli unleashed from the 35-meter area. The ball hit the woodwork and bounced back into the field of play. Lancelot Maeba, who was in the perfect scoring position, finished off the rebound. Maeba pulled off his trousers after scoring the goal and the referee gave him his marching orders for unsporting conduct.

Golden Arrows beat Western Stars 2-1 at the Makwarela Stadium the following day to book a place in the quarterfinal of the tournament.