Lamontville Golden Arrows secured a 2-0 win over AmaZulu FC in the DStv Premiership match at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The victory in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby clash took Abafana Bes’thende to the sixth spot on the league standings, while Usuthu remained 11th on the log.
Most of the play was in the middle of the park in the opening stages as the two teams battled for control of the midfield.
The first chance of the match came in the 16th minute following a good run by Arrows winger Pule Mmodi down the right-hand side.
The skillful player set-up Ntsako Makhubela, who forced AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa into a fine save as the visitors searched for the opening goal.
Usuthu also had an opportunity to score after they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area on the half-hour mark.
Luvuyo Memela then set-up and unleashed a powerful shot which was well-saved by Arrows shot-stopper Sifiso Mlungwana.
It was end-to-end stuff towards the haft-time break and Abafana Bes’thende were awarded a penalty after Usuthu were penalised for a hand-ball in the box.
Nduduzi Sibiya then stepped up and beat Mothwa from the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Arrows heading into the half-time break.
Abafana Bes’thende continued to attack after the restart and they managed to double their lead through Velemseni Ndwandwe in the 50th minute.
The 24-year-old midfielder combined with Sibiya, before hitting the back of the net to make it 2-0 to Arrows – scoring his third goal of the season.
AmaZulu responded by making a double substitution as they introduced attackers Phakamani Mahlambi and Siphelele Mthembu.
However, the visitors continued to push forward in numbers in search of more goals and Seth Parusnath forced Mothwa into a great save from a free-kick in the 64th minute.
Usuthu did most of the attacking in the closing stages of the match with the hosts having introduced veteran attacker Siphiwe Tshabalala.
However, they were frustrated by the hosts’ defence which was solid and compact and ultimately, Arrows secured a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu.
AmaZulu 0
Arrows (1) 2 (Sibiya 45’+1, Ndwandwe 50′)
AMAZULU: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Masilela (Mabiliso 82′), Mzava, Khumalo, Mlambo, Sithebe (Tshabalala 82′), Ncube, Chawaphiwa (Mahlambi 58′), Memela, Mulenga (Mthembu 58′).
ARROWS: Mlungwana, M.Dube, Sibisi (Conco 81′), Mathiane, Lunga, Makhubela, Parusnath, Ndwandwe, Mmodi, M. Gumede (Mutizwa 72′), Sibiya.© Backpage TXT.
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
