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Van Heerden opened the door to Abafana Bes'thende's win
Abafana Bes'thende, who recently thumped Maritzburg United 4-1, prevailed via strikes from Siyabonga Nkosi and Thamsanqa Gabuza, while Neo Segalo netted for the People's Team at Athlone Stadium.
In a largely uninspiring affair, Arrows hitman Collins Mbesuma flashed a shot wide in the 15th minute.
Four minutes later Erwin Isaacs tested Arrows goalkeeper Cedric Gumede with a useful strike.
Gumede then did well to foil efforts in quick succession from the hard-running Matty Pattison and Eleazar Rodgers midway through the half.
But it was Arrows who drew first blood in the 29th minute. Former Bafana Bafana ace Nkosi pounced from close range following a free-kick into the box from another ex-national star Elrio van Heerden.
The lead, though, was short-lived as Segalo converted Isaacs's pass in the area nine minutes later.
The second stanza was equally combative but the goal-mouth action dried up substantially.
Mbesuma dragged a shot wide in the 58th minute, while teammate Philane Shange was likewise off target in the 83rd minute.
However, Gabuza stroked home the winner two minutes later, as Arrows claimed three much-needed points.
