In a dramatic encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, Golden Arrows edged out Kaizer Chiefs 2-1, with a late strike from Knox Mutizwa proving to be the match-winner.
Despite Chiefs enjoying the lion’s share of possession, it was the home side that made the most of their chances, claiming a hard-fought victory in an action-packed Betway Premiership clash.
The match got off to an exciting start, with Chiefs showing early intent. In the fifth minute, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo had a chance to give his side the lead but fired wide after a well-placed cross from Dillan Solomons. Chiefs were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Makabi Lilepo was brought down in the box by Arrows’ Thokozani Lukhele. However, Yusuf Maart’s spot-kick struck the left post, much to the dismay of the visitors, as they missed a golden opportunity to go ahead.
Arrows, however, quickly grew into the game, with efforts from Angelo Van Rooi and Nduduzo Sibiya failing to trouble Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma. Chiefs continued to press, with Lilepo forcing a save from Arrows’ goalkeeper Edward Maova, but it was the home side who would break the deadlock in the 25th minute. Sibiya latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Mutizwa, calmly finishing from close range to give Arrows a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs responded just four minutes later, with Maart atoning for his earlier penalty miss by scoring a well-taken goal. A clever through ball from Gaston Sirino found Maart, who made no mistake in slotting the ball past Maova to level the score at 1-1.
The rapid-fire goals set the tone for an entertaining first half, which ended with Chiefs holding 62% possession and nine goal attempts to Arrows’ five. The second half saw both teams make tactical adjustments. Arrows brought on Sbonelo Cele and Thabani Zuke at the break, while Chiefs replaced Thabo Cele with Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Early in the half, Van Rooi squandered a golden opportunity for Arrows, blasting wide from Cele’s assist in the 52nd minute. Chiefs suffered a scare when Bvuma went down injured in the 56th minute, but the shot-stopper recovered after a brief delay.
As the game wore on, both sides rang the changes, Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala entered for Chiefs, while Arrows introduced Siyanda Mthanti and Shadrack Kobedi. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute. Mutizwa pounced on a loose ball in the Chiefs’ box, firing a low left-footed effort past Bvuma to restore Arrows’ lead at 2-1.
Chiefs threw bodies forward in the closing stages, but Arrows held firm, with Maova standing tall in goal. When the final whistle blew, Chiefs had controlled 57% of the ball and managed 12 attempts on goal, but Arrows’ eight shots proved more clinical.
The result lifts Arrows to 10th in the standings with 27 points from 20 matches, while Chiefs remain in eighth with 29 points from 23 games. This defeat adds pressure on Chiefs as they chase a top-four finish, while Arrows will look to build on this momentum in their next outing. For now, Durban belongs to the men in green and gold.