The derby between AmaZulu and Golden Arrows was billed as an encounter likely to produce free flowing football, and it did not disappoint.Though Amazulu went down 2-1, they have only themselves to blame for finishing empty-handed.
The Usuthu enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but uncertainty in the final third proved to be their worst enemy. Arrows, on the other hand, were prepared to soak up the pressure and forge ahead with purpose.
The visitors centered their efforts on testing AmaZulu’s new central defensive combination of Tamasanqa Sangweni and Tamsanqa Teyise. However it was the their indecision over the marking of the Collins Mbesuma that resulted in them conceding the first goal.
Arrows midfield kingpin Siyabonga Nkosi took advantage of the hesitancy and slid a well-weighted ball for an unmarked Mbesuma to finish with ease.
The hosts had to wait until the 20th minute to get their first effort on target when Tangeni Shipahu sent in a sizzling free-kick.
Just before the interval Helton Da Rocha made two stunning saves to maintain his team’s advantage. First he produced a reflex save to keep out Ayanda Dlamini’s powerful close-range effort and then he blocked Sibusiso’s attempt.
Mbesuma got his second of the afternoon when he was picked out for another sublime pass from Nkosi which allowed him to stroke the ball past AmaZulu’s keeper Thembalethu Moses in the 54th minute.
AmaZulu clawed their way back into the game six minutes later when Lehlohonolo Majoro fed the ball to Shiphau who was positioned at the edge of Arrows penalty area. The Namibian responded with a powerful drive that flew beyond the reach of Da Rocha.
The hosts continued to probe for openings and came close in the 67th minute when Majoro hit the crossbar with a header. But the Arrows defence stood firm in the remaining minutes to collect maximum points. – Sapa