It was a goalless draw in the KZN derby between AmaZulu and Royal AM, but Golden Arrows picked up a win as three DStv Premiership matches were played on Saturday afternoon.
Amazulu 0-0 Royal AM
AmaZulu and Royal AM played to a goalless draw at a very wet Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was a good competitive start to this KZN derby, Andre De Jong forcing a save out of Patrick Nyame in the 13th minute, as Benni McCarthy’s team looked to take control of the game.
The New Zealander went close again in the 26th minute, but Nyame was able to get his hands onto his cross-come-shot, while Augustine Mulenga’s effort four minutes later was tame, and Nyame was able to gather.
Royal AM started to get back into the game and thought they had a penalty just after the half hour mark, when Victor Letsoalo was challenged by Thembela Sikhakhane.
Lantshene Phalane was off target with a free kick in the 33rd minute, and he had two attempts blocked by the defence in the 40th minute. But at halftime it remained goalless in Durban.
Luvuyo Memela went close in the 50th minute, but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Nyame. The Cameroonian goalkeeper did it again in the 54th minute, making a great save to deny De Jong.
Sikhakhane should have put Usuthi in the lead in the 78th minute, having rounded Nyame, Sikhakhane somehow managed to shoot wide with the goalmouth beckoning.
Swallows 1-1 Maritzburg United
Swallows scored a late goal to draw 1-1 with Maritzburg at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Swallows had Fani Madida on the bench as acting coach, with Dylan Kerr still waiting for his permit to be sorted.
Maritzburg went into the half-time break leading 1-0, thanks to a stoppage time goal from Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who headed in from a Rowan Human free kick.
Just when it looked to be heading to a Maritzburg win, Wandisile Letlabika grabbed the equaliser for the home team for a share of the points.
Chippa United 1-2 Golden Arrows
Arrows picked up a good three points on the road as they beat Chippa 2-1 on the at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Michael Gumede gave the visitors the lead in just the seventh minute, with a finish from inside the box.
But Chippa were level in the 35th minute, when Bienvenu Eva Nga put the ball in the back of the net, and at the break it was 1-1.
Pule Mmodi put Arrows back in front in the 53rd minute, finishing off a good counter attack, assist by Nduduzo Sibiya.
Chippa were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, when Sbonelo Cele was adjudged to have handled the ball, but Nkosi Gumede saved Mogakolodi Ngele’s attempt.
