Golden Arrows co-coach Vusi Vilakazi was delighted to see his side overcome Polokwane City in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
Arrows had started their 2023/24 season well before a 4-0 thumping by Mamelodi Sundowns last week.
But they responded with a hard fought home 3-2 win over newly promoted Rise and Shine at the Mpumalanga Stadium.
Douglas Mapfumo opened the scoring for the visitors on 12 minutes but Arrows responded immediately with Nduduzo Sibiya finding an equaliser.
Lungelo Nguse put Arrows ahead on 22 minutes and Themba Mantshiyane added a third goal with 38 minutes played.
Lebohang Nkaki pulled a goal back on 53 minutes but it wasn’t enough as Vilakazi’s side held on for the win.
The coach said on iDiski Times: “We were coming to this game after we lost 4-0.
“So when we come and be able to score three, it shows at least there was an improvement from our side because my players psychologically were very weak.
“So there was another opportunity that we might find ourselves suffering because of the 4-0 we were handed by Sundowns but we managed to come out of our shell and be able to score three, those are positive signs from our club.
“I think going forward, yes there is still a room for improvement, [but] I strongly feel today our subs did not have that impact that we expected from them.
“We had a lot of players who were suffering a burn-out in terms of energy. But it is fine, we will work on that.”