Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Sep 20, 2026.
Lamontville Golden Arrows 0
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Betway Premiership, Round 7 (20.9.26)
Mbombela stadium, Nelspruit
Kaizer Chiefs maintained their undefeated start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season but will feel two points eluded them after a 0-0 draw with Lamontville Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Mpumalanga, when Lebohang Maboe's first-half penalty was saved.
Amakhosi made a brisk start and controlled the tempo from the beginning, moving the ball around with pace and probing for weaknesses in the Arrows' structure.
Speed was the key, and Chiefs used their abundance of it to threaten Arrows down both flanks. As early as the 4th minute, Pule Mmodi pulled a sweet cross into the box from the left for Mfundo Vilakazi to meet, although his accuracy did not match the power of his header. Moments later, some delightful skill on the right flank by Vilakazi opened space for Reeve Frosler to send in a dangerous cross that was cleared with some difficulty. A clever short corner routine opened up space for a Moboe shot in the 8th minute, but he couldn’t hit the target from 20 yards out.
Renaldo Leaner, making his debut in goal in place of injured skipper Brando Petersen, pulled off an excellent reflex save a minute later as Junior Dion met Philani Khumalo’s cross from close range.
The youthful exuberance of Faiz Abrahams and Vilakazi on the right, and the direct running of Mmodi on the opposite flank were tormenting Abafana Bes’thende, who could barely get out of their own half for the majority of the opening 45 minutes as Amakhosi enjoyed double the amount of possession than that of their hosts and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score the goal that their dominance deserved.
It ought to have come in the 33rd minute when Abrahams, running away from goal, was felled inside the penalty area by Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso, which resulted in the award of a spot kick to Chiefs. Maboe, however, saw his well-struck effort saved by Thakasani Mbanjwa, diving high to his right.
Amakhosi continued to press for a goal but could not crack the Arrows defence before the referee signalled for halftime with the score at 0-0.
The second half became something of a midfield ‘arm wrestle’ as Arrows gained more of a foothold and Chiefs eased off from the high intensity they produced in the first period, and neither team could conjure much in the way of scoring opportunities. After Amakhosi had managed to maintain possession and move Arrows around, the second half became more ragged as their flow was interrupted by the tenacity of their opponents.
Amakhosi rediscovered their rhythm in the final quarter and were desperately unlucky not to take the lead in the 79th minute when substitute Asanele Velebayi found Vilakazi, who struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from just inside the box that had Mbanjwa beaten all ends up. “Obregado’ tried again in the 86th minute but saw his long-range shot blocked as it flew towards goal.
In the end, Chiefs had to settle for their fourth stalemate of the season as the match ended goalless.
The result leaves Amakhosi in fourth position in the league table with 13 points after seven rounds, and they will use the FIFA international break to work hard on turning dominant performances from draws into wins when they return to action against Stellenbosch on 17 October.
Line-ups
Subs not used: Bvuma (44), Dortley (24), Monyane (2), Mako (29), Chislett (23)
Coach: Fernando Da Cruz
Lamontville Golden Arrows: Mbanjwa (27); Agnikoi (26), Dlamini (24), Mabaso (38), Sithole (29) (van Neel (28) 65’), Shezi (3), Maluleke (20), Maxwele (25), Dion (18) (Booysen (39) 87’) P. Khumalo (36) (Gasa (49) 66’), Zwane (41) (T. Khumalo (17) 74’)
Subs not used: Msibi (19); Madonsela (47), Radzhadzhi (43), Jiyane (4), Mantshiyane (35)
Coach: Pitso Dladla
