/ 11 December 2008

AmaZulu too good for Arrows

AmaZulu’s revival continued at a rain-soaked King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday night when they defeated Golden Arrows 2-0 in a hard-fought Absa Premiership Durban derby.

Both goals were scored by Collins Chabalala in the first half.

Usuthu move from 10th to sixth position in the Premiership and are only a point behind third-placed Arrows in what is developing into one of the most competitive Premiership seasons ever.

AmaZulu continued where they left off against BidVest Wits at Milpark last Friday night where they dumped the high-riding Students 3-2.

Usuthu were full value for their win over Arrows in a derby spoilt by rain.

For Arrows it appears the bubble has burst. They have now lost three in a row and collected only one point from their last four matches, and for coach Manqoba Mngqithi it is back to the drawing board to try to halt Arrows’ slide.

Arrows simply failed to match AmaZulu’s effort and determination.

It was Arrows who had their Durban neighbours under a lot of pressure in the opening 15 minutes, but they failed to make use of their advantage.

Njabulo Manqana was a fraction wide for Arrows in the seventh minute when his shot skimmed the upright.

A minute later AmaZulu keeper Kakonje Kalililo did well to deny Arrows’ top scorer Richard Henyekane from opening the scoring.

AmaZulu went ahead in the 16th minute when leading goal scorer Chabalala did well to slam home a loose ball after Arrows keeper Helton Da Rocha managed to block a shot on target from Nhlanhla Zwane.

The Arrows defence then went walkabout and Chabalala had the easy job of picking his spot in the back of the net in the 20th minute when he was able to steer home a great cross from Zwane. No defender picked up the big striker who brought his goal tally for the season to four league goals.

Chabalala nearly made it 3-0 but his 22nd minute header went wide as once again the Arrows defence failed to mark the dangerous striker.

Arrows had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 31st minute but Abia Nale headed a corner over the Usuthu crossbar from close range. — Sapa