NELSPUIT – Gabadinho Mhango scored four goals in Golden Arrows’ 4-2 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in a remarkable Absa Premiership match at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Aces led 2-0 in the 40th minute of the match after goals from Collins Mbesuma and Judas Moseamedi. But Mhango, who came on as a substitute in the 36th minute, scored two goals before halftime, and another two in the second half to complete his team’s amazing comeback.
The win also lifted Arrows to 33 points on the standings, which is normally the benchmark PSL teams strive for to avoid relegation to the National First Division. But the Durban outfit can now also fight for a spot in the top eight, as they are just one point behind the eighth-placed SuperSport United.
Aces, on the other hand, have come unstuck in the second half of the season after looking like title challengers in January.
The game produced drama right from the start, as Arrows were awarded a penalty in the first minute of the encounter after Kgotso Polelo was fouled by Lehlohonolo Nonyane. However, Aces goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters saved Nkanyiso Cele’s penalty.
But the home side would score the opening goal from the penalty spot in the fourth minute after Arrows’ Lehlohonolo Nonyane brought down Musa Bilankulu in the area. Mbesuma calmly slotted home the resulting spot kick.
Aces went 2-0 up in the 40th minute when Moseamedi grabbed a goal with a right-foot finish. However, after coming on as a substitute, Mhango turned the game on its head.
His first goal came from the penalty spot in the 45th minute after Walters fouled Kuda Mahachi inside the area. Mhango then headed home in stoppage time after a lovely ball into the box by Nkanyiso Mngwengwe.
Mhango then gave Arrows the lead for the first time in the match when he completed his hat trick in the 65th minute with another neat finish. But he wasn’t finished yet, as he also added a fourth goal in the 80th minute after a Mahachi assist.
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