Golden Arrows came from a goal down to pick up an important win as they beat AmaZulu 2-1 in their rescheduled DStv Premiership fixture at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Both KwaZulu-Natal outfits have now concluded their league fixtures for the season. However, Arrows will only know if they remain in the top eight after SuperSport United’s fixture against Orlando Pirates next week. They are currently eighth, but with an inferior goal difference, they would drop out should SuperSport pick up a win.
It was Brandon Truter’s first defeat as interim AmaZulu coach, having won three and drawn four of his previous seven games.
AmaZulu are currently sixth, but are likely to finish in seventh spot, as they are only one point ahead of Pirates, who have three games remaining.
AmaZulu 1-2 Golden Arrows
Siphesihle Maduna went wide in the opening minute for the hosts, but after that it was Arrows who started to create better chance. Saziso Magawana went just wide in the eighth minute before Velemseni Ndwandwe’s effort from close range was deflected behind.
There were off-target chances from Maduna and Keagan Buchanan before Veli Mothwa had to make a save at the other end in the 20th minute to deny Pule Mmodi,
Usuthu began to get back into the game, and it was the home team who would grab the lead in the 39th minute, as Maduna scored his third league goal of the season, pouncing on a loose pass from Arrows’ goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana, before blasting in to make it 1-0.
But the lead lasted just two minutes, Ndwandwe levelled matters, with a cool finish after some good interplay by the Arrows players leading to the goal.
Luvuyo Memela was off target from a free-kick just before half-time, while at the other end Siyabonga Khumalo went just wide, and at the break it remained 1-1.
Ndwandwe had three chances in the opening minutes of the second half, but couldn’t find the back of the net, while at the other end Maduma went wide in the 55th minute with a well-struck long-range attempt.Thembela Sikhakhane, having just come off the bench, went close for Usuthu in the 58th minute, but his header went just over
Both teams pushed for a later winner, with Arrows creating the better opportunities, and the visitors were awarded a penalty after Nduduzo Sibiya was brought down in the box in the 81st minute by Mbongeni Gumede. Sibiya picked himself up to take the spot-kick, and sent Mothwa the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Memela had a great chance to level matters in stoppage time, but his shot went across the face goal and just wide, and Arrows held out for the important win.
