Kaizer Chiefs suffered their 10th Premier Soccer League defeat this season when they fell 2-1 against Golden Arrows on Saturday in the match staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The Soweto giants came into the match hoping to bounce back from the 2-0 loss against Richards Bay in their last league outing. It was the same case with Abafana Bes'thende who suffered a shocking 1-0 loss against relegation-threatened Magesi FC.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi was boosted by the return of Wandile Duba, who had been out for a couple of months owing to an ankle injury. However, the Amakhosi graduate started the game from the bench.
The first-half story: Maart misses penalty, Sibiya scores
Arrows were keen to complete a double over the Soweto giants, having won the initial meeting by a solitary goal. It explains why the Manqoba Mngqithi-led team started the game hoping to cause another upset.
However, the first massive chance fell to the Glamour Boys in the ninth minute; Thokozani Lukhele was harshly adjudged to have fouled Glody Lilepo in the danger zone and the referee handed Amakhosi a penalty. Yusuf Maart casually took it and failed to hit the target, as his effort hit the woodwork and was eventually cleared.
Amakhosi paid the price in the 25th minute when amateurish defending allowed Knox Mutizwa to get in the final third before advancing and laying the ball to the unmarked Nduduzo Sibiya, who did not have a problem finding the back of the net.
Nevertheless, the visitors equalised in the 28th minute; a clever ball by Gaston Sirino was picked by Maart, who squeezed it through the legs of goalkeeper Edward Maova to make amends after missing the penalty.
Chiefs punished again
Even after the pause, it was Abafana Bes'thende who looked dangerous on attack, trying to get behind the Glamour Boys' defense that had opted to employ a risky high line.
In the 51st minute, Angelo Van Rooi managed to beat the Chiefs' central defenders. Despite being in a one-on-one situation with Bruce Bvuma, he blasted the ball just wide, much to the relief of the Amakhosi faithful.
The lesson was not taken; Arrows finally got their deserved second goal in the 78th minute. Edmilson Dove was left for dead by Siyanda Mthanti whose ball was parried by Bvuma but as far as Mutizwa who hit the back of the net to hand his team a deserved win.
Arrows are now placed 10th with 27 points after 20 games, three matches less than Chiefs who are eighth with 29 points.
